It may be some combination of genetics and social structure

Question

It may be some combination of genetics and social structure that will lead us to answers, including to the question of why Miami’s homicide rate is comparatively high. Some say that aggression can be traced to genetics. Testosterone, a male hormone that is linked to aggressive behavior, pumps through the veins of all men in large quantities, whereas only a small amount is found in women. By contrast men have low levels, but women have high levels, of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which inhibits aggression and impulsivity. Female have a larger verbal portion of the brain which is said to be the reason why they can express feelings and emotions more readily than males. These facts point to genetic reasons why men are so aggressive.

Which of the following if true would most undermine the conclusion in above passage?

(A) In areas of Europe such as Switzerland, a homicide is unheard of, people rarely kill each other.
(B) There are matriarchal societies where women, usually, lead the clan and effectively deal with male violence through group power.
(C) The testosterone levels in the male’s body combined with his surroundings and manner by which he was brought up can all take affect and be the deciding factors in his aggressiveness.
(D) In Miami, the police have been suspected of racialism which is proved by statistics that though 50% of homicides are committed by black males their ratio in conviction is almost 65% and the fact that both white and black males have the same level of testosterone.
(E) A statistic released by the Miami crime bureau stated that this year the percentage increase in crimes was larger for the girl delinquents.

msday · Answer

The conclusion is that males are more aggressive due to genetic factors. E refutes this conclusion by providing proof of female aggresiveness.

Quad · Answer

Completely agree with msday86, E clearly undermines the conclusion

GMATBLACKBELT · Answer

A: irrelevent
B: this doesnt help explain why testosterone isn't the cause of aggresiveness
C: this strengthens the argument
D: irrelevent

E: i dont particularly like this answer but its the best out of the bunch.

pmenon · Answer

agree with E. Its the only choice that seems to link in with the passage's examples of women

hanumayamma · Answer

Conclusion: It may be some combination of genetics and social structure that will lead us to answers, including to the question of why Miami’s homicide rate is comparatively high.

(A) In areas of Europe such as Switzerland, a homicide is unheard of, people rarely kill each other. (Areas of Europe such as Switzerland is not mentioned in the argument. – Irrelevant)

(B) There are matriarchal societies where women, usually, lead the clan and effectively deal with male violence through group power. (This strengthens the argument – Eliminate it)

(C) The testosterone levels in the male’s body combined with his surroundings and manner by which he was brought up can all take affect and be the deciding factors in his aggressiveness.
(This strengthens the argument – Eliminate it)

(D) In Miami, the police have been suspected of racialism which is proved by statistics that though 50% of homicides are committed by black males their ratio in conviction is almost 65% and the fact that both white and black males have the same level of testosterone.
(This choice came close but still provided clue that male was responsible for aggressive behavior - Eliminate it)

(E) A statistic released by the Miami crime bureau stated that this year the percentage increase in crimes was larger for the girl delinquents. (This contradicts the argument premise – definitely weakens the argument)

Answer: E

vscid · Answer

shockingly, OA is A.

bhatia_ash2002 · Answer

Where is this question from?

vscid · Answer

fella posted it on scorechase. seemed pretty genuine to me.

sondenso · Answer

I think, conclusion here is " These facts point to genetic reasons why men are so aggressive "

These facts:
1.Testosterone in men is larger than than in women
2. In men lower levels of serotonin than in women
3. In men lower verbal portion in his brain than women's

These facts are responsible for "men are so aggressive". Keep in mind that in conclusion, the author did not make any comparison.

A says these facts do rarely cause the aggressiveness , therefore is the best

vscid · Answer

right. if it were genetic, homicides would not just be limited to US but everywhere in the world.(europe)

It may be some combination of genetics and social structure

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