A psychiatrist had six adult women patients who suffered blurred ego boundaries. These patients were distinguished by the following characteristics. Meg and Sue had been subjected to corporal punishment as children and both had siblings. Donna and Jane were adopted, had a male parent figure, and experienced sexual abuse. Lynn and Florence had siblings and a male parent figure, but only Florence had a domineering mother. Also, Lynn and Meg had experienced sexual abuse and were adopted, but only Meg had a domineering mother. Jane and Donna were uprooted often as children. Florence and Sue had experienced sexual abuse, but only Sue was raised in day-care centres. Jane and Donna each had a domineering mother, and each had been subjected to corporal punishment. Florence was uprooted often as a child and had been subjected to corporal punishment. Donna and Lynn were raised in day-care centres, Sue had a male parent figure, and Jane had siblings. 1. What can the psychiatrist conclude is the cause of the blurred ego boundaries of these women?

2. Which one of Mill’s methods did the psychiatrist use?

3. What sense of causality is involved in the conclusion?