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06 Jun 2025, 09:19
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B
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
95%
(hard)
Question Stats:
34% (01:55) correct
66%
(01:48)
wrong
based on 129
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
An analysis published in August by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison suggests the debunking messages posted by medical experts on TikTok are more effective if overlaid with high-tempo music. The academics believe the music helps swamp the brain’s ability to present counter-arguments, making the message more persuasive to the listener.
The argument above assumes which of the following?
A) Counter-arguments are a significant barrier to persuading viewers in debunking videos.
B) The increase in persuasiveness is not primarily due to factors unrelated to counter-arguments.
C) High-tempo music reduces the likelihood of viewers dismissing the message without consideration.
D) Medical experts optimize message content to align with musical elements.
E) Listeners who are persuaded by the messages are always aware of the music's effects.
A) While counter-arguments being a barrier is implied, the argument does not assume they are a significant barrier; it only claims that reducing them helps. Other factors might dominate, making this unsupported as a necessary assumption.
B) Correct - The argument relies on the music's effect being primarily through swamping counter-arguments. If negated ('The increase IS primarily due to other factors'), the argument's causal mechanism no longer holds.
C) While reducing dismissal could occur with music, this is not required by the argument's reasoning. Even if music does not reduce such dismissal, it could still swamp counter-arguments and increase persuasiveness.
D) Irrelevant to the causal mechanism; the argument does not depend on experts optimizing content.
E) Awareness of effects is not necessary for the persuasive effect to occur; the argument focuses on the mechanism, not listener consciousness.
The argument claims that high-tempo music increases persuasiveness by swamping the brain's counter-arguments. The necessary unstated assumption is that the persuasiveness increase is not primarily caused by factors unrelated to counter-arguments. Option B correctly states this assumption, as without it, alternative explanations would invalidate the music-to-counter-arguments causality. Distractor A, now revised to 'a significant barrier,' tempts by overstating a premise but is not strictly necessary. C discusses a possible effect but not one required for the specific causal chain.
The argument above assumes which of the following?
A) Counter-arguments are a significant barrier to persuading viewers in debunking videos.
B) The increase in persuasiveness is not primarily due to factors unrelated to counter-arguments.
C) High-tempo music reduces the likelihood of viewers dismissing the message without consideration.
D) Medical experts optimize message content to align with musical elements.
E) Listeners who are persuaded by the messages are always aware of the music's effects.
Show SpoilerHints
Focus on identifying the necessary condition for the argument's causal claim. What idea must be true for the link between music and persuasiveness via counter-arguments to hold?
Show SpoilerExplanations
A) While counter-arguments being a barrier is implied, the argument does not assume they are a significant barrier; it only claims that reducing them helps. Other factors might dominate, making this unsupported as a necessary assumption.
B) Correct - The argument relies on the music's effect being primarily through swamping counter-arguments. If negated ('The increase IS primarily due to other factors'), the argument's causal mechanism no longer holds.
C) While reducing dismissal could occur with music, this is not required by the argument's reasoning. Even if music does not reduce such dismissal, it could still swamp counter-arguments and increase persuasiveness.
D) Irrelevant to the causal mechanism; the argument does not depend on experts optimizing content.
E) Awareness of effects is not necessary for the persuasive effect to occur; the argument focuses on the mechanism, not listener consciousness.
The argument claims that high-tempo music increases persuasiveness by swamping the brain's counter-arguments. The necessary unstated assumption is that the persuasiveness increase is not primarily caused by factors unrelated to counter-arguments. Option B correctly states this assumption, as without it, alternative explanations would invalidate the music-to-counter-arguments causality. Distractor A, now revised to 'a significant barrier,' tempts by overstating a premise but is not strictly necessary. C discusses a possible effect but not one required for the specific causal chain.
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13 Jun 2025, 01:13
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Argument:
High Tempo Music > Decrease in Brain’s Ability to Counter-Argument > Increase in Effectiveness of Message
Assumption:
1. Brain’s Ability to Counter-Argue is related to Effectiveness of Message
Option B matches the negative technique
Option A and C are already mentioned in the argument.
High Tempo Music > Decrease in Brain’s Ability to Counter-Argument > Increase in Effectiveness of Message
Assumption:
1. Brain’s Ability to Counter-Argue is related to Effectiveness of Message
Option B matches the negative technique
Option A and C are already mentioned in the argument.
18 Jun 2025, 12:12
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I chose A, I see why B is the correct answer choice.. However, I don't see why A is incorrect.. if counter-arguments are "not" a significant barrier to persuading viewers in debunking videos, then there is no point in saying "music helps swam the brain's ability to present counter-argument, making, therefore, the message more persuasive to the listener..
Where am I wrong in this reasoning?
Where am I wrong in this reasoning?
