Cherry Picking: Etymology/Term, Literal and Conceptual Meanings
Cherry Picking Etymology/Term
The term “cherry picking” has its roots in the literal act of selectively choosing ripe cherries from a tree. Over time, it evolved into a metaphorical expression with broader applications.
Literal Meaning:
- Fruit Harvesting: Originally, cherry picking referred to the practice of carefully selecting only the ripest or best cherries from a tree during harvest.
Conceptual Meanings:
- Selective Choosing: In a broader sense, cherry picking has come to signify the act of selectively choosing specific elements or information while disregarding others.
- Confirmation Bias: It is often associated with confirmation bias, where individuals choose or emphasize information that supports their existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence.
- Data Analysis: In fields like research and statistics, cherry picking involves selectively presenting data points that support a particular argument, while omitting those that might weaken the case.
- Argumentation Fallacy: Cherry picking is considered a logical fallacy when someone selectively presents evidence to support their claims while ignoring counterarguments.
In essence, “cherry picking” encapsulates the idea of selectively choosing, whether in the context of harvesting fruit, gathering information, or forming arguments, often with the intention of presenting a skewed perspective.
Cherry Picking: Definition as a Rhetorical Device
Cherry picking, as a rhetorical device, involves selectively presenting evidence or examples that support a particular viewpoint while intentionally ignoring or omitting information that contradicts it. This practice aims to persuade or manipulate an audience by providing a one-sided and incomplete representation of the available data or arguments. In essence, cherry picking is a strategic form of argumentation that seeks to strengthen a position by highlighting favorable elements while neglecting the broader context.
Cherry Picking: Types and Examples
| Type of Cherry Picking | Definition | Example |
| Data Cherry Picking | Selectively presenting statistical data to emphasize a specific trend or outcome while disregarding conflicting data. | Presenting only positive economic indicators to create an overly optimistic view of the economy. |
| Quote Mining | Extracting quotes out of context to support a particular viewpoint, even if the original intent or meaning differs from the presented argument. | Taking a politician’s statement out of context to make it appear as though they endorse a policy they may not fully support. |
| Anecdotal Evidence Selection | Relying on isolated personal stories or anecdotes that align with a desired narrative while ignoring broader trends or statistical evidence. | Using a single case of an adverse reaction to a vaccine to argue against vaccination without considering the overwhelming evidence of its safety. |
| Historical Cherry Picking | Highlighting specific events or periods from history that support an argument while overlooking other historical contexts that might present a more balanced view. | Arguing against a social policy by selectively referencing instances where it failed without acknowledging cases where it succeeded. |
| Scientific Study Cherry Picking | Citing only specific studies that support a claim while neglecting the body of research that may offer conflicting results or a more nuanced understanding. | Advocating for a controversial medical treatment by highlighting one study that supports its efficacy while ignoring research raising safety concerns. |
| Selective Fact Presentation | Choosing facts selectively to construct a narrative that suits a particular agenda, often neglecting contradictory information. | Arguing for or against climate change by focusing on specific temperature data points while disregarding the broader trend of global temperature increase. |
Cherry Picking: Examples in Everyday Life
1. Social Media Discussions:
- Example: In a debate on social media, someone might selectively share news articles or quotes that support their viewpoint while ignoring information that contradicts it, creating a biased representation of the issue.
2. Product Reviews:
- Example: A customer writing a review for a product may highlight positive features that align with their expectations while overlooking or downplaying any negative aspects, presenting a skewed perspective to potential buyers.
3. Political Debates:
- Example: Politicians or political pundits may selectively reference specific policies or actions of opponents to criticize them while ignoring achievements or positive aspects, creating a one-sided narrative.
4. Personal Relationships:
- Example: During an argument, an individual might recall only instances where their partner behaved negatively, ignoring times when they were supportive, leading to an unfair portrayal of the relationship.
5. Job Interviews:
- Example: A job applicant may focus on specific achievements and experiences that align with the job requirements, downplaying or omitting aspects of their work history that could be perceived as less favorable.
6. Health and Fitness:
- Example: A person advocating for a particular diet or exercise routine might share success stories or before-and-after photos, omitting cases where the approach did not yield the desired results for a more balanced perspective.
7. News Reporting:
- Example: News outlets might selectively cover events or present information in a way that aligns with their editorial stance, potentially excluding crucial details that could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the news.
8. Academic Essays:
- Example: When writing an essay, a student may selectively cite sources that support their thesis while neglecting scholarly works that present alternative perspectives, leading to a biased argument.
9. Advertising:
- Example: Advertisers often showcase the positive aspects of a product or service in promotional materials, emphasizing strengths while downplaying or omitting any potential drawbacks or limitations.
10. Personal Biographies:
- Example: When recounting personal experiences, individuals may choose to share stories that highlight their achievements and positive attributes, consciously omitting or minimizing less flattering aspects of their past.
Cherry Picking in Literature: Suggested Readings
- Aristotle. On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse. Translated by George A. Kennedy, Oxford UP, 2007.
- Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. The Craft of Research. 4th ed., University of Chicago Press, 2016.
- Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2014.
- Heinrichs, Jay. Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion. 3rd ed., Three Rivers Press, 2017.
- Lanham, Richard A. A Handlist of Rhetorical Terms. 2nd ed., University of California Press, 1991.
- Lunsford, Andrea A., John J. Ruszkiewicz, and Keith Walters. Everything’s an Argument with Readings. 8th ed., Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2019.
- Perelman, Chaim, and Lucie Olbrechts-Tyteca. The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation. Translated by John Wilkinson and Purcell Weaver, University of Notre Dame Press, 1969.
- Strunk, William, and E. B. White. The Elements of Style. 4th ed., Pearson, 1999.