Skip to main content
Log in

The conditional probability and the linear flow graph approaches to analyzing probabilistic causal systems

  • Published:
Quality and Quantity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An alternative theoretical approach to the analysis for dichotomous causal systems that involve probabilistic causation, the conditional probability approach, has recently been explicated. It was shown that there exist various composition and decomposition rules for analyzing various kinds of general causal systems, and an important distinction between pure-“or”-and pure-“and”-causal systems was explicated. In this paper these earlier results are used to analyze a causal system which has been studied by J.A. Davis (1976), who uses his linear flow graph approach to analysis. The results of the conditional probability approach are compared to the linear flow graph, and it is shown that the two approaches lead to strikingly different results.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Asher, H.B. Causal modeling. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blalock, H.M. Causal inferences in nonexperimental research. New York: W.W. Norton, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, T., & Campbell, D.T. Quasi-experimentation. Chicago: Rand McNally, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cartwright, N. Causal Laws and Effective Strategies, Nous 13, 419–437, 1979.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, J.A. Analyzing contingency tables with linear flow graphs: D. Systems. In D.R. Heise (Ed.), Sociological methodology 1976, pp. 111–145. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duncan, O.D. Introduction to structural equation models. New York: Academic Press, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellett, F.S., Jr. Ericson, D.P., On The Logic of Causal Methods in Social Science, Synthese, 57, 67–82, 1983.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ellett, F.S., Jr. Ericson, D.P., Probabilistic Causal Systems and the Conditional Probability Approach to Causal Analysis. Quality and Quantity, 18, 247–259, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heise, D. Causal analysis. New York: Wiley, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenny, D.A. Correlation and causation. New York: Wiley, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackie, J.L. The Cement of the Universe Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salmon, W.C. Probabilistic Causality. Pacific Philosophical Quarterly, 61 Nos. 1 and 2, January-April 1980.

  • Salmon, W.C., with contributions by R.C. Jeffrey and J.G. Greeno. Statistical Explanation and Statistical Relevance. Pittsburg, PA: University of Pittsburg, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, H. Models of man. New York: Wiley, 1957.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suppes, P. A probabilistic theory of causation. Amsterdam: North-Holland, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ellett, F.S., Ericson, D.P. The conditional probability and the linear flow graph approaches to analyzing probabilistic causal systems. Qual Quant 20, 147–156 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00227421

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00227421

Keywords

Navigation