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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 08 Jul 2024, 22:55
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Cause- "being observed by an authority figure."

Effect- "children are more inclined to share with family members "

A- Even when the toys are new to the children, they exhibited increased sharing behavior. (Because they are being observed by an authority figure). This strengthens the Cause- Effect relationship.

B- The cause depends on authority figure; we are not concerned whether it is parent or stranger.

C- It gives an alternate reason why the children share toys among themselves. Weaken the argument.

D- Since the toys is larger in number that is why children are sharing toys and not because of Authoritative Observation.

E- The argument is based on the sharing of toys more with the siblings than with non-siblings. Sharing equally between siblings and non-siblings is not the argument.

IMO- A
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 08 Jul 2024, 23:04
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E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 09 Jul 2024, 00:11
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­Psychologist: In a study, children were observed in a room filled with various toys. When an adult was present in the room, the children were more likely to share toys with their siblings than with non-siblings. This suggests that children are more inclined to share with family members when they feel they are being observed by an authority figure.

The psychologist's argument would be most strengthened if it were true that, during the study, the children exhibited increased sharing behavior when:

Explanation: The key premise of the argument is that "children are more inclined to share with family members when they feel they are being observed by an authority figure."

Let's look at the options to determine which one strengthens the argument:

A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home.
Reasoning: This statement talks about the novelty of the toys that could influence sharing behavior, but it does not specifically address the role of the authority figure or differentiate between siblings and non-siblings. INCORRECT

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.
Reasoning: This statement does explain the observed behavior of the children toward sharing toys. If the adult observer is a parent, it shows that children are responding to the presence of an authority figure whom they recognize and may feel a stronger obligation to adhere to social norms. This directly supports and strengthens the argument that the increased sharing behavior is due to the presence of an authority figure, particularly one with a personal relationship with the children. CORRECT

C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys.
Reasoning: According to this statement, the need for assisting younger siblings to help them understand how to use the toys introduces a different viewpoint that is not directly related to the presence of an authority figure. INCORRECT

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.
Reasoning: The availability of more toys could make sharing easier, but it does not provide evidence that the presence of an authority figure influences sharing behavior with siblings specifically. INCORRECT

E.  the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.
Reasoning: This statement introduces the concept of intervention during the experimental study. If the adult explicitly encourages sharing, it introduces a direct intervention rather than an observational role, which shows that the observed behavior of the children might be a forced or an influential one that shifts the focus from the children's spontaneous behavior in response to being observed. INCORRECT

Option B is the correct answer­
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children Updated on: 09 Jul 2024, 18:48
Originally posted by bronaugust on 09 Jul 2024, 00:15.
Last edited by bronaugust on 09 Jul 2024, 18:48, edited 1 time in total.
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Quote:
 Psychologist: In a study, children were observed in a room filled with various toys. When an adult was present in the room, the children were more likely to share toys with their siblings than with non-siblings. This suggests that children are more inclined to share with family members when they feel they are being observed by an authority figure.

The psychologist's argument would be most strengthened if it were true that, during the study, the children exhibited increased sharing behavior when:

A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home.

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.

C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys.

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.

E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.
Show more
To solve this question, let us deploy IMS's four-step technique. 

STEP #1 - > IDENTIFY THE QUESTION TYPE

Let us read the question stem to identify the question type. The stem states, 'The psychologist's argument would be most strengthened if it were true that, during the study, the children exhibited increased sharing behavior when'. What we have is a strengthening question. 

Now that the question type is identified, let us proceed to the second step. 

STEP #2 -> DECONSTRUCT THE ARGUMENT

In a strengthening question, it is a must to deconstruct the argument by figuring out the conclusion and the premise. 

CONCLUSION: Children are more inclined to share with family members when they feel they are being observed by an authority figure.
PREMISE: When an adult was present in the room, the children were more likely to share toys with their siblings than with non-siblings.

Now that the argument is deconstructed, let us proceed to the third step. 

STEP #3 -> FRAME A SHADOW ANSWER

To frame a shadow answer, we must know what the right answer is supposed to do. We are looking for an answer that strengthens the argument of the psychologist. A great way to strengthen the argument is to introduce an extra premise that validates the psychologist's conclusion. It is worth noting that the psychologist concludes children are more inclined to share with family members when they feel they are being observed by an authority figure. The premise, however, does not speak of an authority figure. It says,  'When an adult was present in the room, the children were more likely to share toys with their siblings than with non-siblings.' The adult therefore must be an authority figure for the psychologist to arrive at the conclusion that is arrived at. 

SHADOW ANSWER: Any situation that leads us to believe that the adult that was present in the room was actually an authority figure (because if the adult is actually an authority figure for the children, the children should exhibit increased sharing behavior in order for the psychologist's argument to be strengthened.)

Now that a shadow answer is framed, let us eliminate incorrect answer options. 

STEP #4 -> ELIMINATE INCORRECT ANSWERS

All answer options that do not match with the shadow answer can be eliminated. 

A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home. - NOT A MATCH - The argument speaks of toys in general, so even if the toys were new to the children, it would not impact the argument of the psychologist. - ELIMINATE

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult. - MATCHES THE SHADOW ANSWER - A parent of the siblings is likely to be construed as an authority figure than a stranger or non-relative adult. Introducing this as a premise will validate the conclusion. - KEEP

C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys. - NOT A MATCH - The argument says the presence of an authority figure makes children more inclined to share with family members. So, if what is given in this option were true, it would weaken the conclusion of the psychologist. - ELIMINATE

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys. - NOT A MATCH - Again, does not tell us anything about the adult present in the room. - ELIMINATE

E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling. - NOT A MATCH - The presence of an adult actually leads to the sharing, so if the adult actually explicitly encouraged the children to share, it would weaken the psychologist's argument. - ELIMINATE

Hence, B has to be the correct answer.

 =11pt 


 

 ­
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 09 Jul 2024, 00:34
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­I believe the answer should be A because:
Conclusion - That children share when subject to a figure of authority
To find - if true which would strengthen

Option A - If it is true it shows that even the temptation of new toys does not hinder there capacity to share 
Option B - It does not matter as he/she can still be an authority-possessing figure
Option C - this applies to just one situation where younger siblings are present but we don't know if the passage includes only them or everybody plus the other kids could be younger too 
Option D - Even if there were multiple toys there could be a possibility where both like the same toy but still share 
Option E - if they encouraged then it was not the own will of the child therefore the conclusion is defeated 
 
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 09 Jul 2024, 00:50
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­Psychologist: In a study, children were observed in a room filled with various toys. When an adult was present in the room, the children were more likely to share toys with their siblings than with non-siblings. This suggests that children are more inclined to share with family members when they feel they are being observed by an authority figure.

The psychologist's argument would be most strengthened if it were true that, during the study, the children exhibited increased sharing behavior when:

A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home.

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.

C. The siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys.

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.

E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.


A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home.
If at all we take this option to be true i.e. various toys filled in the room were unused by these children then children would probably not share with either siblings or non-siblings. Also, presence of an authority figure would affect these children equally whether they share with siblings or with non-siblings.
INCORRECT

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.
This explains why children were partial while sharing more with siblings and less with non-siblings. CORRECT
If  an authority figure is parent of sibling then this suggests the authority figure is parent to both children, who is sharing the toy and who is taking the toy. As parent is common to these 2 children, authority could be a reason for more sharing with family members and less sharing with the non-siblings.

C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys.
This choice has nothing to do with the presence of an authority figure, which is crucial for the conclusion drawn. INCORRECT
Moreover, we do not know who is providing the help. Whether authority figure is providing the help or child who is sharing the toy is providing the help? If  the authority figure is providing the help to children who do not know how to use the toys, then authority figure would provide help equally to all the children irrespective of whether they are sibling or non-sibling to the child who is sharing the toy.
If child who is sharing her/his toy is providing the help then reason to provide the help is common to siblings and non-siblings, which is the needy child is younger and thus provider would assist both equally because they both are younger. This choice does not explain why children share more with siblings in the presence of an authority figure. Thus, this option is irrelevant.

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.
If this were true then children would share with siblings as well as non-siblings. This does not explain "more likely to share toys with their siblings than with non-siblings" INCORRECT
Adding to that, when child has plenty to share, they can share with whoever they want to be it a sibling or a non-sibling. Yet, argument concludes that children are more likely to share with siblings. Because this option does not provide the reader with information which makes the reader believe more in the conclusion, we will rule out this option as irrelevant.

E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.
Similar to D, this does not explain "more likely to share toys with their siblings than with non-siblings" INCORRECT
If the adult explicitly encouraged the children to equally share irrespective of whether they are siblings or not, then children would share equally irrespective of  whether they are siblings or not. As this option is not inline with the conclusion of the given argument, we will rule this out as irrelevant.
­
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 09 Jul 2024, 01:18
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The option B shows most strengthens the psychologist's argument by emphasizing that the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult. The presence of a parental authority figure could enhance the children's perception of familial relationships and increase their willingness to share specifically with their siblings.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 09 Jul 2024, 01:30
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­Psychologist: In a study, children were observed in a room filled with various toys. When an adult was present in the room, the children were more likely to share toys with their siblings than with non-siblings. This suggests that children are more inclined to share with family members when they feel they are being observed by an authority figure.

The psychologist's argument would be most strengthened if it were true that, during the study, the children exhibited increased sharing behavior when:

A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home.

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.

C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys.

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.

E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.


Explaination:

Conclusion:
When an adult was present in the room, the children were more likely to share toys with their siblings than with non-siblings. This suggests that children are more inclined to share with family members when they feel they are being observed by an authority figure.


A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home.
-> Not relevant

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.
->Since children are more inclined to share with family members when they feel they are being observed by an authority figure.
Hence children would exhibit increased sharing behavior when a parent , who is the immidiate authority figure, they know, is there to observe.

C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys.
-> Not relevant

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.
-> Not relevant

E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.
-> Not relevant
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 09 Jul 2024, 01:46
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Psychologist: In a study, children were observed in a room filled with various toys. When an adult was present in the room, the children were more likely to share toys with their siblings than with non-siblings. This suggests that children are more inclined to share with family members when they feel they are being observed by an authority figure.

The psychologist's argument would be most strengthened if it were true that, during the study, the children exhibited increased sharing behavior when:

A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home.

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.

C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys.

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.

E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.
the answer is E b/c It is more convincing that it is because the wise man has told the children that it is better to play with a brother or sister than with a bully.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 09 Jul 2024, 02:07
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A option is correct because that is strengthening the case given in the statement.

Other options are just weakening the case by mere presenting an alternate choice.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 09 Jul 2024, 02:45
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The argument has two main points of evidence:
• Children shared toys with siblings more than with non-siblings; and
• An adult was present through this.

In the conclusion, the author suddenly jumps to ‘an authority figure’ instead of ‘an adult’. This for sure is one of the two main assumptions:
    (1) An adult who was present was an authority figure; and
    (1) The only (or the main) difference between sibling-sharing and sibling non-sharing was the presence of this adult (there weren’t any significant circumstances that also influences this change).

Going through answer options, we need to find some strengthener of the assumptions above:

Quote:
A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home.
Show more
This factor would be present both with or without an adult in the room, so it’s not a strengthener.

Quote:
B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.
Show more
When the adult is also a parent, it strengthens the first assumption that it’s an authority figure (and not just a random adult who may have no impact on children’s perception at all).

Quote:
C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys.
Show more
Again, this factor would be present for both situations, with or without an adult in the room, so it’s not strengthening anything.

Quote:
D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.
Show more
Again, this factor would be present for both situations, with or without an adult in the room, so it’s not a strengthener.

Quote:
E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.
Show more
If anything, this would rather be a weakener, because the conclusion says the children ‘are more inclined’ to share, which supposes their personal predisposition. However, when an adult explicitly tells them to do so, we aren’t sure what their actual inclination might have been. Additionally, the conclusion deals with being ‘observed’ by an adult, not directly following their advice – which again doesn’t help this answer to strengthen the conclusion in any way.

Therefore, the correct answer is B.

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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 09 Jul 2024, 03:06
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Psychologist: In a study, children were observed in a room filled with various toys. When an adult was present in the room, the children were more likely to share toys with their siblings than with non-siblings. This suggests that children are more inclined to share with family members when they feel they are being observed by an authority figure.

The psychologist's argument would be most strengthened if it were true that, during the study, the children exhibited increased sharing behavior when:

A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home. -> doesn't help with the fact that they didn't share the toys with non-siblings

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult. -> this is a good option as well since it also lines with the text in the passage "This suggests that children are more inclined to share with family members when they feel they are being observed by an authority figure."

C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys. -> Too specific assumption

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys. -> quite irrelevant

E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.­ -> this is a good option as well since even after encouragement, they shared it with only siblings, which is inline with out statement of the passage. "When an adult was present in the room, the children were more likely to share toys with their siblings than with non-siblings."

I am confused between B and E. 
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 09 Jul 2024, 03:16
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­Breaking down the question stem:
Conclusion - Children were more inclined to share with siblings when they feel that they are being observed by the authority figure.

Let's look at the options to strengthen the psychologist's claim.

A. Incorrect. Doesn't mention anything about authority figure or sibling-based sharing.
B. Correct. Parent is considered authority figure and could explain why children shared their toys with their siblings. 
C. Incorrect. Doesn't explain how authority figure is related.
D. Incorrect. Same as C. 
E. Incorrect. It does opposite. It weakens the argument. ­
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 09 Jul 2024, 03:19
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Though I was kinda confused between B and E, I chose B, coz the children are generally used to sharing/encouraged to share under parental watch.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 09 Jul 2024, 03:45
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Correlation "When Adult is present in the room, childern share toys with siblings than non- siblings."
Author extends this correlation to Causation
Effect- Childern are more inclined to share with family members Cause-when they feel they are being observed by an authority.

A. A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home.
Even when the toys are new to the children, they exhibit increased sharing behavior. This suggests that the presence of an authority figure, rather than familiarity with the toys, influences sharing behavior, thereby strengthening the cause-effect relationship.

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.
The cause depends on the presence of an authority figure; it doesn't matter whether the figure is a parent or a stranger. The distinction between the two is not relevant to the cause.

C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys.
 The factor such as younger need for help and understanding might be influencing the children's sharing behavior. This is not the stated cause.

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.
The children are sharing toys because there are plenty of toys available, not because of being observed by an authority figure. This is not the stated cause.

E.  the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.
The argument is based on children sharing toys more with siblings than with non-siblings; sharing equally between siblings and non-siblings is not relevant to the argument. This clarifies that the focus is on the increased sharing with siblings under observation, not on equal sharing with all children.­

IMO A.­
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 09 Jul 2024, 03:47
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The argument would be most strengthened that there was confirmation that the increase in the sharing behaviour was linked with a presence of an authority figure

Answer A - wrong
no link with an authority figure

Answer B - right
An authority figure for children is their family members rather than strangers, so the fact when parents were present children exhibited  increase sharing behaviour stregthens the argument.

Answer C - wrong
no link with an authority figure

Answer D - wrong
no link with an authority figure

Answer E
In the argument there is no information about adult encouraging children to share, plus in the answer doesn't state that the adult was an authority figure.
 
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 09 Jul 2024, 03:54
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A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home. #weakens. Shows another cause for increase in sharing

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult. #Irrelevant who is the authority

C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys. #weakens, points to an alternate explantion

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys. #Irrelevant

E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling. #Correct.  Adult is explicitly encouraging, i.e. authority is absent, discrimate sharing also stops.

Answer E­
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 09 Jul 2024, 04:42
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A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home.
Additional info to show even if toys were new kids shared. Keep

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.
Due to fear gave to Sibling. Doesn't strengthen. Eliminate

C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys.
Weakens. Eliminate

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.
Weakens. Eliminate

E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.
Neither strengthens nor Weakens.Eliminate
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 09 Jul 2024, 04:43
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­We need to strenghthen the argument that children will be more likely to share to siblings if there is someone with authority in the room .

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.
Correct - Tells us that observing person has some authority and children shared toys in presence of sibling's parents. If it was stranger then that would've weakened our argument as then children are not influenced by someone (Stranger) with authority.
 
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children 09 Jul 2024, 04:51
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­IMO B, since its not clear why kids will give toy to their siblings if there is some random adult so it would strengthen the argument more if the adult is a parent of the sibling. ­
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