Neuroscientist: Memory evolved to help animals react appropriately to

Memory evolved to help animals react appropriately to situations they encounter by drawing on the past experience of similar situations.

This means that "memory" evolved so that animals could remember past experiences and use them to react appropriately to similar situations. For example, a brush with a hunter would make them cautious if they see people with guns next time.

But this does not require that animals perfectly recall every detail of all their experiences.
Instead, to function well, memory should generalize from past experiences that are similar to the current one.

Every detail of the experience is not required. To function well, memory should generalise from past experience.
Sneha2021 - But this does not mean that if the memory does remember every detail, it is unable to generalise from past experience. It may remember everything but still be able to draw generalisations.
This just means that every detail is not required; a generalisation is enough.

Which of the following must be true?

(D) Recalling every detail of all past experiences would be incompatible with any ability to generalize from those experiences.

No. It is not given that both are not possible simultaneously. We are only given what would be enough to remember. Also note the use of "any ability". We cannot say that recalling every detail must mean that there is no ability to generalise.

(E) Animals can often react more appropriately than they otherwise would to situations they encounter if they draw on generalizations from past experiences of similar situations.

Animals can often react more appropriately than they otherwise would - comparison between how they would react in each situation

We are given that memory evolved to help animals react appropriately. Hence, we can say that without memory (learning from past experience), they wouldn't react as well as they do with memory.
Hence this is correct.

Answer (E)

Evolution of Memory
 
Step 1: Identify the Question

The words support which of the following conclusions in the question stem indicate that this is an Inference question.

Step 2: Deconstruct the Argument

Purpose of memory: past experience → smarter reactions
BUT don’t need all details (can generalize)

Step 3: Pause and State the Goal

On Inference questions, the goal is to find an answer that can be proven based ONLY on the information in the argument.

Step 4: Work from Wrong to Right

(A) The argument doesn’t give any evidence regarding the memory abilities of particular animals, only information about how memory works in general. In fact, the argument specifies that animals don’t need to perfectly recall details, since they can generalize.
(B) The argument specifies that memory can function well without perfect recall of details. It’s possible that perfectly recalling details would cause memory to function even better, but the argument doesn’t claim that this is the case.
(C) The argument contrasts perfectly recalling every detail with generalizing from past experiences, using the word instead. The argument does not indicate that generalizing from past experiences requires recall of most if not all details; it’s possible that recall of only some, not most, details is required.
(D) Animals can generalize from past experiences to make up for their inability to recall every detail perfectly. However, an animal that could recall every detail perfectly might still generalize from past experiences. The argument doesn’t provide any information about such animals, so no conclusions about them can be drawn.
(E) CORRECT. The first sentence of the argument claims that memory helps animals react appropriately. In the final sentence, the author claims that memory can function well by generalizing from similar situations. This answer combines those two claims: if the animal generalizes from similar past situations, it can then react more appropriately in future situations.

Understanding & Analysing the Passage

“Memory evolved to help animals react appropriately to situations they encounter by drawing on the past experience of similar situations.”

• This statement talks about how memory has evolved in animals to help them.
• Memory helps by providing a reference, based on the past experience of similar situations; this helps animals react appropriately to certain situations.

“But this does not require that animals perfectly recall every detail of all their experiences.”

• Detailed recollection is not necessary to react appropriately to certain situations. Thus, we can infer that a general recollection of similar situations in the past is adequate to help animals react appropriately to situations they encounter.

“Instead, to function well, memory should generalize from past experiences that are similar to the current one”

• The author coveys a change in the flow of information by stating that generalizing from past experience is actually helpful for animals to function well.

• Now, from the previous sentence, we figured that detailed recollection is not required. However, in this sentence, the author mentions that memory “should” generalize, which means that to react appropriately, general recollection is adequate.


Pre - thinking

We need to find a logical conclusion, that is 100% true, based on the argument.

Analyzing the premise, we can infer that
1. We can infer that without the evolution of memory, appropriate reactions to certain situations may not be possible.

2. It is imperative that an animal must experience a certain situation in the past to be able to use memory to react appropriately to similar situations in the future.

3. Detailed recollection is not necessary.

4. General recollection will help in functioning well.


Analyze the Answer Choices

(A) At least some animals perfectly recall every detail of at least some past experiences. INCORRECT

o The passage does not talk about any animals having perfect recollection. From the given information, we cannot know for certain if any animals indeed have a perfect recollection of past experiences. This actually the opposite of what the author intends to convey.

(B) Perfectly recalling every detail of all their past experiences could help at least some animals react more appropriately than they otherwise would to new situations they encounter. INCORRECT


o The information in the passage does not support this option as we know perfect recollection is not required; In fact, generalizing helps memory function well. No information on whether perfect recollection will help some animals or not is provided in the passage.

(C) Generalizing from past experiences requires clear memories of most if not all the details of those experiences. INCORRECT


o This option is ambiguous since we have no information provided to know how much detail of a past experience is required to generalize a memory. It can be the case that only 10% of the memory is required to generalize it.

(D) Recalling every detail of all past experiences would be incompatible with any ability to generalize from those experiences. INCORRECT


o This statement has no proof in the passage. The passage does not talk about the compatibility of recalling every detail with generalizing from those experiences.

o Whether animals with perfect recollection will or will not be able to generalize past experience is not known to us. Even if the animals had the ability to recall every detail perfectly, the author specifically states that it is not required to generalize from those experiences.

(E) Animals can often react more appropriately than they otherwise would to situations they encounter if they draw on generalizations from past experiences of similar situations. CORRECT

o This option is in line with the information provided in the passage. Thus, this option is correct.

Neuroscientist: Memory evolved to help animals react appropriately to situations they encounter by drawing on the past experience of similar situations. But this does not require that animals perfectly recall every detail of all their experiences. Instead, to function well, memory should generalize from past experiences that are similar to the current one.

Main point that we need to keep in mind while solving this question - 1.) Animal use past experiences to react in similar situation; 2.) Not necessary to perfectly recall experiences and 3.) To function well, it is better to generalize past experiences instead of perfectly recalling it

The neuroscientist's statements, if true, most strongly support which of the following conclusions?

(A) At least some animals perfectly recall every detail of at least some past experiences.[Out of Scope: The premise does not mention what some animals do and what others do not.]

(B) Perfectly recalling every detail of all their past experiences could help at least some animals react more appropriately than they otherwise would to new situations they encounter.[Out of Scope: Since this is inference question, we cannot bring is new information and using the information given in the passage, we cannot infer this. ]

(C) Generalizing from past experiences requires clear memories of most if not all the details of those experiences.[This is not mentioned in the passage - the passage simple mentions that we need to generalize from past experiences, whether we need most or least details is not mentioned, hence the statement is out of context]

(D) Recalling every detail of all past experiences would be incompatible with any ability to generalize from those experiences.[We know that to function well, we need to generalize, but we do not know if recalling every detail is compatible or incompatible. Hence even this statement can be eliminated.]

(E) Animals can often react more appropriately than they otherwise would to situations they encounter if they draw on generalizations from past experiences of similar situations.["react more appropriately than they otherwise would" - this statement is similar to " in order to function well" and hence, this clearly has to be the answer.]

OG16 Question 1 P502
OG17 CR 544 P510[/quote]

Summary of question: In order to have an appropriate reaction to a situation, the animals draw upon a similar experience they underwent in the past. To do so, memory helps them. Additionally, for memory to function properly it needs to give a general description of the past experience and not specific details.

Asked: To find conclusion

Prethinking: We cannot effectively pre-think in Conclusion questions because there are multiple conclusions possible. However, we can certainly observe, that the answer choice must necessarily be true given the argument. Additionally, conclusion should be a statement that explains why every sentence in the argument is included, in the first place.

Option analysis:
A) This is out of scope and cannot be verified by information given in the question
B) Cannot be verified if perfectly recalling every detail of all their past experiences could in fact help at least some animals react more appropriately
C) Again, cannot be verified
D) This option takes the sentence "to function well..." to an extreme. While the author speaks of how in order for memory to function properly, it should generalise from past experiences, it does not go to the extreme end of implying that ability to recall specific details and ability to generalise are incompatible and hence can't happen together in the same animal
E) Correct! It can be verified as it is a summary of the entire argument in one sentence

ANALYSIS of STIMULUS

1. According to a neuroscientist, the memory of animals evolved in a particular manner for a specific reason
2. The reason was – To help the animals remember how they dealt with past situations and in turn help them to deal with present similar situations
3. What is not required - they need not remember all the details of the past experiences
4. What is required - For functioning well, their memory should just generalize the data from the past experiences and this generalized knowledge will be good enough for the animal to use while approaching a similar situation in the present.

ANALYSIS OF THE QUESTION STEM

If what the neuroscientist says is absolutely true, then which of the answer options finds the strongest support from the information given in the passage.

ANSWER CHOICE ELIMINATION

(A) At least some animals perfectly recall every detail of at least some past experiences.

The passage clearly suggests that all animals in general are supposed to have the ability to recall. From the passage we know that for the memory to adequately serve the animals in their present situation, it is not necessary for the animals to remember all detail of that situation. But the passage does not tell us how many, if any, animals can recall “perfectly every detail”. It is possible that none of the animals can really recall all details but can still generalize. This is a might be true choice.
Incorrect choice.

(B) Perfectly recalling every detail of all their past experiences could help at least some animals react more appropriately than they otherwise would to new situations they encounter.

Per this choice recalling every detail will help animals react better than they would if they did not recall every detail.
From the passage we know that for the memory to adequately serve the animals in their present situation, it is not necessary for the animals to remember every detail of that situation. They can simply generalize without remembering all details. This choice is a distortion of the given information.
Incorrect choice.

(C) Generalizing from past experiences requires clear memories of most if not all the details of those experiences.

Per the passage, for the memory to function well, all that is required is to draw generalizations from past experiences. In order to draw these generalizations, whether every detail or most of it needs to be remembered or not is not supported by the passage. The requirements for generalizing are out of scope of the argument.
Incorrect choice.

(D) Recalling every detail of all past experiences would be incompatible with any ability to generalize from those experiences

Per this choice if the animal recalls every detail of all experiences, it will not be able to generalize.
The passage says that in order to generalize from past experiences it is not necessary to remember every detail of those experiences. But this does not mean that if an animal can remember every detail of all past experiences it will not be able to generalize from those experiences. This choice is a distortion and half-truth.

Incorrect choice.

(E) Animals can often react more appropriately than they otherwise would to situations they encounter if they draw on generalizations from past experiences of similar situations.

Per the passage, memory evolved to help animals remember past experiences so that they could draw generalizations from those and apply them to similar current situations. (The key word here is “appropriately”).
If the purpose of the memory evolving in a certain manner was to help animals react appropriately to situations they encounter by drawing on the past experience of similar situations, then generalizations will definitely help to serve that purpose. Had their memories not evolved in this manner, they would have been able to deal with situations less appropriately.
Correct Choice.

Hi LithiumIon

This is one interesting question of Critical Reasoning.

Question stem: Find among the options that is supported by the information given in the passage. Thus, this is an inference question.

Understanding passage:
Memory evolved to help animals react appropriately to situations they encounter by drawing on the past experience of similar situations. But this does not require that animals perfectly recall every detail of all their experiences.
>>The author begins by stating that memory evolved to help animals react according to situations.
>>>>>This is because memory helps to draw past experiences of similar situations.
>>However, this does not require that animals perfectly recall every detail

Instead, to function well, memory should generalize from past experiences that are similar to the current one.
>>For functioning, memory should generalize from past experiences.

Pre-thinking:
What new information can be deduced from the above passage?
Generalizations from past experiences help animals respond appropriately to situations.

Answer Choice Analysis:

(A) At least some animals perfectly recall every detail of at least some past experiences.
Out of scope
The passage does not shed any light on whether or not some animals perfectly recall every detail of at least some past experiences.

(B) Perfectly recalling every detail of all their past experiences could help at least some animals react more appropriately than they otherwise would to new situations they encounter.
Out of scope
The argument does not give us any information regarding this claim.

(C) Generalizing from past experiences requires clear memories of most if not all the details of those experiences.
Out of scope
The argument does not support this claim.

(D) Recalling every detail of all past experiences would be incompatible with any ability to generalize from those experiences.
Irrelevant
The argument talks about generalisations helping to overcome situations. It does not refer to whether or not recalling every detail of all past experiences would be incompatible with ability to generalize.

(E) Animals can often react more appropriately than they otherwise would to situations they encounter if they draw on generalizations from past experiences of similar situations.
This is in line with our pre-thinking. The argument supports the claim that if animals draw on generalizations from past, they often react more appropriately.

This in my opinion is a 650-700 level question. I hope I elaborated enough.
Is there anything you would like me to focus on more??
Pls share your thoughts.

Memory evolved to help animals react appropriately to situations they encounter by drawing on the past experience of similar situations.

This means that "memory" evolved so that animals could remember past experiences and use them to react appropriately to similar situations. For example, a brush with a hunter would make them cautious if they see people with guns next time.

But this does not require that animals perfectly recall every detail of all their experiences.
Instead, to function well, memory should generalize from past experiences that are similar to the current one.

Every detail of the experience is not required. To function well, memory should generalise from past experience.
Sneha2021 - But this does not mean that if the memory does remember every detail, it is unable to generalise from past experience. It may remember everything but still be able to draw generalisations.
This just means that every detail is not required; a generalisation is enough.

(E) Animals can often react more appropriately than they otherwise would to situations they encounter if they draw on generalizations from past experiences of similar situations.

Animals can often react more appropriately than they otherwise would (react) ...
The comparison is in the way they react.
Since we are given that memory evolved to help animals react in a better way, we can say that drawing on generalizations from past experiences helps them react in a better way than they way they would have reacted had they not drawn on generalisations from past experiences.
Hence, this is correct.

Neuroscientist: Memory evolved to help animals react appropriately to situations they encounter by drawing on the past experience of similar situations. But this does not require that animals perfectly recall every detail of all their experiences. Instead, to function well, memory should generalize from past experiences that are similar to the current one.

The neuroscientist's statements, if true, most strongly support which of the following conclusions?

Question type: Inference

Task at hand: Figure out what can definitely be inferred based on the information presented in the stimulus.

A. At least some animals perfectly recall every detail of at least some past experiences. This option is too extreme. We can’t make any inference about recalling every detail.

B. Perfectly recalling every detail of all their past experiences could help at least some animals react more appropriately than they otherwise would to new situations they encounter. This option is also very extreme. We can’t make any inference about recalling every detail of all the past experiences.

C. Generalizing from past experiences requires clear memories of most if not all the details of those
experiences. This option is also very extreme. We can’t make any inference about generalizing from past experiences requiring clear memories.

D. Recalling every detail of all past experiences would be incompatible with any ability to generalize from those experiences. Once again, we cannot infer this. This option is also very extreme on the negative side.

E. Animals can often react more appropriately than they otherwise would to situations they encounter if they draw on generalizations from past experiences of similar situations. This option is worded in such a way that it can be guaranteed from the fact in the prompt. Yes, animal can react more appropriately than they otherwise would if they draw on generalizations from past experiences of similar situations.

- Nitha Jay

Neuroscientist: Memory evolved to help animals react appropriately to situations they encounter by drawing on the past experience of similar situations. But this does not require that animals perfectly recall every detail of all their experiences. Instead, to function well, memory should generalize from past experiences that are similar to the current one.

The neuroscientist's statements, if true, most strongly support which of the following conclusions?

(A) At least some animals perfectly recall every detail of at least some past experiences.
(B) Perfectly recalling every detail of all their past experiences could help at least some animals react more appropriately than they otherwise would to new situations they encounter.
(C) Generalizing from past experiences requires clear memories of most if not all the details of those experiences.
(D) Recalling every detail of all past experiences would be incompatible with any ability to generalize from those experiences.
(E) Animals can often react more appropriately than they otherwise would to situations they encounter if they draw on generalizations from past experiences of similar situations.
Pre think answer-Generalization from past experiences help the animals to react more appropriately than recalling every specific detail

A-This may be true but not always true since we do no know the number of animals who recalls every specific detail and the number of animals who generalize from past experiences
B-It states the opposite since it has been stated in the argument generalization is preferred over recalling every specific detail
C-Requirement of generalizing from past experiences is not the issue here
D-Incompatibilty factor of generalization and recalling specific detail is not discussed here hence out of scope
E-Similar to pre think step hence correct

GMATNinja, MentorTutoring, VeritasKarishma

The wording of answer choice leaves me confused. Could anyone please help me in understanding the meaning and structure of the following part of option E?

“Animals can often react more appropriately than they otherwise would to situations they encounter’’

My questions are:
1. Is there any verb omitted but understood after the word would?
2. What is the role of the word otherwise in the sentence above?
3.In the stimulus, what words represent that “Animals can often react more appropriately’’
4. In words "situations they encounter", after the word situations, a clause started; is there a relative pronoun understood between the two entities?

The questions above might sound silly or grammatical; your answer must help me in understanding the meaning, so thanks in advance.

Hello, sjuniv32. I will respond in-line below.

I hope that helps. If you have further questions, silly or otherwise (although I did not feel your questions were silly in this case), feel free to ask. Thank you for bringing my attention to the question.

- Andrew

you are taking too far. You are concluding beyond what could be said for certainty based on information given in passage.

From argument, we can determine that animals can often react more appropriately than they otherwise would to situations they encounter if they draw on generalizations from past experiences of similar situations.
often : in general many times. No information is given about any frequency ( so this conclusion is beyond information given in argument)
Do animals make a judgement every time? We don't know .

Key point is we no need to take conclusion too far as no one can confirm it based on given information . Moroever, if for gmat purpose, stepping over scope would consume our valuable time and anyways, we would end up in dark zone.

I hope it helps:)

1m 40s to solve this.
I think this can be solved in less than a minute by many.

Situation:

A neuroscientist claims that memory evolved to help animals learn how to react appropriately by generalizing from past experiences but that this does not require animals to remember all details of those experiences.

Reasoning:

What conclusion would the neuroscientist’s theory about memory most strongly support? The neuroscientist asserts that the evolutionary function of memory is to help animals learn to react appropriately by drawing on generalizations from similar experiences they have had. If memory is to serve this function, drawing on generalizations must actually help animals learn to react more appropriately than they otherwise would, even when they do not remember all the details of past experiences.

"E" is the correct choice - If the evolutionary function of memory is to help animals react more appropriately by drawing on generalizations from past experiences, it follows that animal memories can often successfully serve this function in this manner.

Main premise of the argument:
Animals do not need to recall each and every memory of a past incident to react to current one; Instead they should generalize from past experiences to function well.

So Conclusion would be: If animals generalize from past experiences of similar conditions, they will react to current situation appropriately.

Only Option E states above point, hence the answer.

Assumption: Generalization from past experiences = react appropriately.
We need to strengthen the assumption.

(A) At least some animals perfectly recall every detail of at least some past experiences. - Recalling every detail is not necessary so, it does not strengthen.
(B) Perfectly recalling every detail of all their past experiences could help at least some animals react more appropriately than they otherwise would to new situations they encounter. - Yes, may be possible but not discussed in the passage.
(C) Generalizing from past experiences requires clear memories of most if not all the details of those experiences. - Not mentioned in the passage.
(D) Recalling every detail of all past experiences would be incompatible with any ability to generalize from those experiences. - Maybe but not mentioned in the passage and this option in any way strengthen the assumption.
(E) Animals can often react more appropriately than they otherwise would to situations they encounter if they draw on generalizations from past experiences of similar situations. - Yes, this will strengthen.