GMAT CLUB OLYMPICS: The National Institutes of Health, or the NIH, is

Hello, everyone. This sort of fill-in-the-blank question type was more common in the past, but regardless of how a question is pitched to us, we still need to focus on just what the passage lays out. What does this one have in store?

• Sentence one tells us what the NIH is doing: funding research... to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection.
• Sentence two zooms in, focusing on the researchers conducting the research—they are studying a phenomenon known as the "cocktail party effect."
• Sentence three provides information on certain psychiatric disorders that people may possess in which their ability to select what deserves attention and what does not is hampered.

Our goal is to determine what the NIH most likely believes in choosing to fund this line of research. As always, it is vital to keep both the question frame and the passage in mind when assessing the answer choices.


Remember, the researchers are interested in this phenomenon. It is possible that the NIH is not even aware of such a term. Besides, we cannot be expected to conclude that just because something has been researched (or even explained) before, the topic is unworthy of further study. This may be an easy answer to fall for if you have not practiced CR too much, but for the initiated, it should be apparent that there are too many logical gaps to fill.


There must be some reason that mice and owls were selected for the experiments, right? But would the NIH look at an experimental design and conclude that because mice and owls might possess the above abilities, the research was worth funding? It seems, again, as though the researchers selected these animals for some reason, and that the NIH is merely placing trust in the researchers. The word comparable is also suspect. It could be the case that one animal possesses better-than-human "cocktail party" abilities while the other may serve as nothing more than a control. We are not privy to information on the selection process. On first look, this answer choice can look promising. I might keep it in my first pass of the options. But the goal is always to choose the least debatable of the five answers presented, and I have my doubts about this one.


Now the focus is back on the NIH, just where it should be to answer the question at hand. The first line of the passage tells us outright that the NIH is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. If these circuits or pathways were not detectable, then we would have no compelling reason to believe the NIH would be willing to foot the bill for such research. This looks like a better option than (B) above.


Although the soft language in may be should not go unnoticed, a cure is definite, like the "off" of a light switch. The goal may be to find a cure, and the NIH may very well hope that such a cure will be found through this research avenue, but does the passage allow us to point to a given line to justify this statement as our answer? We should not have to furnish an explanation for what could be true; we want to get behind an option that follows from the information provided. Again, I would not call this a terrible answer. It just does not quite add up.


All we know is that the passage indicates that the NIH is funding a certain type of research. We cannot speculate on why it would or would not choose to fund other types. Probably the easiest of the five answer choices to eliminate, in my view.

I hope that helps clear any confusion on this one. Enjoy the competition, everyone.

- Andrew
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The National Institutes of Health, or the NIH, is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. The researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not. People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability.

In allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage, the NIH most likely believes __________.

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”
Maybe the effect has already been explained or not. It does not matter. Irrelevant. Incorrect.

(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli
The problem with this is when it says "comparable to those of humans". We don't know from the questions it they are comparable or not. Incorrect.

(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
This is the correct one. They want to identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection, so they think that those circuits are detectable.

(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research
We can not deduce this from the text. Incorrect.

(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical
Irrelevant.

IMO C

Option C.

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect” = That is not necessarily true. this can be an enhancement of previous research. Incorrect assumption.
(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli = this may be true but is not the crux of the passage. the passage is concerned with finding the path of selection and attention of brain. Incorrect usage.
(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable = Correct usage. It identifies crux of the passage.
(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research = Cure is not the crux of the passage. Incorrect usage.
(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical = No mention of ethics and out of scope. incorrect usage.

The National Institutes of Health, or the NIH, is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. The researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not. People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability.

In allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage, the NIH most likely believes __________.

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”
(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli
(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research
(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical

So, NIH is funding research on the identification of the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. Mainly because the National Institutes of Health believes neural circuits are identifiable, otherwise, it would not finance the research. So, answer choice C gives us this idea. The correct answer is C.

Assumption question in my opinion.

Pre-thinking:
Conclusion: the scientists by virtue of this study will be able to find out the neural crcuits involvled in.....

Negate and see:

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”-----> Previously explained or not explained does not affect the conclusion they will be able to find out the detection
(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli------> Negate this but doesnot affect the conclusion. Its a trap answer
(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable----> negate this and the conclusion breakss
(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research----> out of scope
(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical----> Again irrelevant

OA : C

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”
Might have explained it but the main agenda is to study mice and owls.

(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli
Even if they don't, doesn't matter

(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
Yes, then only reserach money should be invested else it is a waste

(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research
Good but not main agenda

(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical
Unethical or ethical is something which is not to be looked after

Conclusion of argument : the NIH, is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection
Premise: researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not.

People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability.

we need to find assumption basis of the argument , apply negation test and weaken the conclusion

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”
that previous research has already explained the “cocktail party effect” ; this is not weakening the conclusion

(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli
that mice and owls do not possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli ; this cannot be correct as the premise correctly states that The researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not which is being done on mice and owls ; incorrect

(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are not detectable ; this weakens the conclusion ; correct option

(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research ; argument is not discussing about finding a cure ; wrong option

(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical ; no mention about ethical or unethical practise

option C is correct
that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable

In allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage, the NIH most likely believes __________.

Inference type question:
(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect” Irrelevant

(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli The comparison is not required for the conclusion to hold good. So incorrect.

(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
If this is not detectable then there is on analysis. So it shatters the entire argument

(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research OFS doesn't impact the argument

(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical OFS, doesn't impact the argument

IMO C

Between B, C, D
D : We don't know whether they are looking for a cure. It may just be to understand the issue better. No where mentioned that they want to cure people
Same with B.
IMO C : If the pathways were not detectable, spending money would have been a waste

The National Institutes of Health, or the NIH, is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. The researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not. People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability.

In allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage, the NIH most likely believes __________.

Based on the information, we need to find what NIH believes so that they can fund scientists to identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. We need to find answer choice what do the NIH believe? What was the NIH conviction?

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”
"cocktail party effect" is a study on ability of brain to select what needs attention & what does not[only this, limited scope]. The fund is for identifying neural circuits involved in attention & selection[more extensively].
(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli
This can be an assumption and not the conviction.
(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
This makes a perfect sense. Only if NIH believes neurological pathway is detectable, then NIH will be willing to fund the scientist to research on identifying them.
(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research
It is clearly stated that subjects with psychiatric disorders lack neurological ability. So, funding to to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection, will not help to cure psychiatric disorders. It is only for identification and not for the cure.

(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical
This is out of scope.

So the answer choice is C.

The National Institutes of Health, or the NIH, is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. The researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not. People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability.

In allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage, the NIH most likely believes __________.

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect” -out of context; previous research is not mentioned or cared
(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli- may be true but not 100%
(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable - correct must be true, since the researcher want to measure them it must be detectable
(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research -possible, but not as strong as C
(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical -could be unethical, but it could be ethical as well so no

C

The National Institutes of Health, or the NIH, is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. The researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not. People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability.

In allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage, the NIH most likely believes __________.

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”
Out of context. Nowhere is it mentioned

(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli
May be tempting. We cannot talk of the motive of funding by NIH from the given information.

(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
CORRECT. The purpose of the research is to identify these circuits, and that would be possible only if the NIH believes they are detectable.

(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research
The para does not speak of it, so out of context.

(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical
The para does not speak of it, so out of context.


C

IMO C

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect” -- It may be so, but that is not what the scientists have assumed

(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli --
Observe the scientists at NIH are performing research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection.
Nowhere in passage it is mentioned that the scientists at NIH are doing it for human beings or whether they think that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli

(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable -- Correct. This is the assumption NIH most likely believes in allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage

(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research -- This does not look like an assumption.

(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical -- This is irrelevant

Breakdown the Argument:
The National Institutes of Health, or the NIH, is funding research on mice and owls to help scientists identify the neural circuits involved in attention and selection. The researchers are studying what is known as the “cocktail party effect,” the ability of the brain, when exposed to multiple auditory stimuli, to select what deserves attention and what does not. People with certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, are known to lack this neurological ability.

Assumption:
In allocating funds for the research outlined in the passage, the NIH most likely believes __________.

(A) that previous research has not already explained the “cocktail party effect”
Not about the explanation of the cocktail party effect
(B) that mice and owls possess neurological abilities comparable to those of humans to select an auditory stimulus from among many such stimuli
Not about comparing abilities.
(C) that the neurological pathways involved in auditory attention and selection are detectable
Good
if it is not then research is a waste of resources.
(D) that a cure for psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia may be found through such research
They may be doing it just to mitigate the side effects.
(E) that similar research conducted on humans would be unethical
out of scope

Answer C

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