Which of the following actions by Jonah Lehrer constitutes a violation of copyright?

The correct answer highlights a significant breach of copyright principles. Copying another scientist’s work directly involves taking someone else’s original expressions of ideas, data, or findings without permission, thereby infringing upon their intellectual property rights. This is considered a clear violation of copyright law, which protects the original works of authors, artists, and researchers.

Making up quotes and paraphrasing without attribution can also lead to ethical violations within academic and professional contexts, such as issues related to plagiarism. However, these actions are typically categorized under ethical standards rather than specifically under copyright infringement. While they are serious ethical breaches, they do not directly involve the unlawful reproduction of copyrighted material in the same way that direct copying does.

In this case, focusing on the act of copying the work of another scientist directly aligns with the definition and implications of copyright violation, making it the most accurate representation of the question being asked.