Offering alternative explanations

For each of the following passages, identify which part of the passage is the explanation,
and which part is the fact which is being explained. Then suggest an alternative
explanation for this fact. Do not worry if you are uncertain whether your explanation is
true. Just try to think of something which, if it were true, would be another possible
explanation:
1 Public confidence in the police force is declining at the same time as fear of crime is
growing. People’s lack of confidence in the police is the reason why they are so much
more fearful of crime.
2 Why has the divorce rate increased so much over the last thirty years? It is because
there are so many more couples these days who are unhappily married.
3 The human race has never received a well-authenticated communication from beings
elsewhere in the universe. This is because the only intelligent life in the universe is on
our own planet.
4 The number of cars per head of population in Britain continues to rise. This is
why, whenever a new road such as the M25 is built, the density of traffic in that area
increases.
5 Because the weather was so bad in Britain last summer, the number of people taking
holidays in British resorts declined.
6 A report by a Select Committee of MPs says that parents’ failure to discipline
their children is to blame for some young people’s disrespect for others, their casual
attitude to violence, and their involvement in bullying at school.
7 Greece has a much lower incidence of smoking-related deaths than the UK, even
though Greece also has a much higher percentage of smokers. This is due to differences
in smokers’ habits. Where cigarettes are very expensive, as in the UK, people
smoke the cigarette right down to the tip, whereas where cigarettes are cheaper, half
of the cigarette is thrown away.
8 Many surveys have reported that the Danish are the happiest people on earth. Of
course they are, because they have very low expectations, and thus are pleasantly
surprised when something good happens.
Summary: Evaluating explanations
1 Identify any assumptions underlying the explanation.
2 Think of any possible alternative explanations.
3 Try to think of further evidence that could rule out some of the possible
explanations.
4 If you still think that there is more than one plausible explanation, reserve
judgement on the question until further evidence emerges.