A marriage counsellor initiated a new practice of "healing by

A marriage counsellor initiated a new practice of "healing by separation' in which couples experiencing difficulties in their marriage were asked to live separately for three months. The counsellor believed that living separately will help the couples rediscover a bond in their relationship. However, in eighty percent of the cases, it was observed that at the end of the three months' separation period, the couples were more dissatisfied with their marriage than they had been earlier. Obviously, the couples' participation in this 'healing by separation' practice did not help their marriages.

Which one of the following, if true, would most weaken the conclusion drawn above?

a. At the end of three months, most couples were frustrated about everything including their jobs, friends, and even children.

b. Couples who seek marriage counselling generally improve their relationships during the first two months, no matter what sort of counselling is offered.

c. Several couples who participated in the healing by separation' practice expressed that during the three months, they spent a good deal of time introspecting and found many things that could be addressed amicably.

d. Many of the couples who participated in the 'healing by separation' practice expressed that, when they started the program, they genuinely believed that a solution would be reached at the end of three months.

e. Without the program, less than ten percent of couples would not have felt more dissatisfied with their marriage than they had been earlier.