Vyshak wrote:
In 1960’s studies of rats, scientists found that crowding increases the number of attacks among the animals significantly. But in recent experiments in which rhesus monkeys were placed in crowded conditions, it was not such attacks that increased significantly, but rather instances of "coping" behavior, such as submissive gestures, avoidance of dominant individuals, and huddling with relatives. Therefore the evidence from rhesus monkeys makes it doubtful that crowding significantly increases aggressive impulses in primates.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?
A. The rhesus monkeys is the species of monkey that is more prone to fighting
B. Coping behavior was adopted by the crowded monkeys to forestall acts of aggression among them
C. All the observed forms of coping behavior can be found among rhesus monkeys living in uncrowded conditions
D. Some individual monkeys in the experiment were involved in more attacks than the others
E. Some of the rhesus monkeys in the experiment were subjected to levels of crowding that are unlikely to occur in natural circumstances.
The argument cites evidence that a recent experiment shows that crowding resulted in increased instances of coping - submissive gestures.
Based on this evidence argument concludes that crowding does not result in aggression.
Let us check each option and see which option weakens this argument.
A. This does not relate to our main argument (what is the behaviour of rhesus monkeys when they are in a crowded atmosphere). Ignore this option.
B. This option discusses both key ideas: Coping behavior as well as aggression. Hold
C. Irrelevant to our argument. We have to discuss their behaviour in crowded conditions. Ignore this option.
D. Very subjective information. Not strong enough to support or weaken conclusion. Ignore this option.
E. Issue is not about contrasting this experiment with natural circumstances. Ignore this option.
By elimination also , B comes out as winner.
Let us quickly analyse it.
B says that Coping behaviour was infact an outcome to stop aggressive behaviour. So aggression was there and the submissive gestures were developed by group members for their protection. In light of this information, we cannot say that crowding does not cause aggression.
[Argument is saying thus: Suppose A, B and C are 3 events
Earlier experiment (Rat) says A --> B (A causes B. Crowding causes Aggression)
Present Argument says, we saw that C occurred. so
A does not cause B. It causes C.
Correct Option says that the logical flow is that
A --> B --> C . ]