Psychologist: Research has shown that a weakened immune system

Question

Psychologist: Research has shown that a weakened immune system increases vulnerability to cancer. So, cancer-patient support groups, though derided by those who believe that disease is a purely biochemical phenomenon, may indeed have genuine therapeutic value, as it is clear that participation in such groups reduces participants’ stress levels.

Which one of the following is an assumption required by the psychologist’s argument?

(A) Cancer patients can learn to function well under extreme stress.

(B) Disease is not a biochemical phenomenon at all.

(C) Stress can weaken the immune system.

(D) Discussing one’s condition eliminates the stress of being in that condition.

(E) Stress is a symptom of a weakened immune system.

Source: LSAT

BusinessMaster22 · Answer

Answer is (C): The psychologist argues that a reduction in stress will lead to a stronger immune system, thereby claiming that stress levels dictate immune system function. (E) is likely the runner-up, as this answer choice also establishes a relationship between stress and the immune system; however, (E) claims that a weak immune system causes stress - the opposite of what the psychologist claims.

TheGraceful · Answer

Thanks. This really helped.
I did narrow the choices down to options C and E but ended choosing E.

haithamnimer · Answer

The best answer is (C), because the author believes the group gathering reduces the stress, and indeed increases the body immune. Therefore, there is a missing bridge between the premise and conclusion which is:

(C) Stress can weaken the immune system.

(C) Stress can weaken the immune system.

CEdward · Answer

It has to be C. There is a clear gap in the argument: reduction in stress level > therapeutic value...but how is this related to cancer?

Well, it turns out that a weakened immune system increases vulnerability to cancer. Therefore, if support groups decreases stress, which in turn prevents against the weakening of the immune system, then the individual benefits by reducing their vulnerability to cancer.

C.

GMATwithAK · Answer

The paragraph assumes that an decrease in stress levels can improve strengthen the immune system which in turn will reduce vulnerability to cancer. This assumption is available only in options C,D and E.

Option D is not the underlying assumption but the result implied in the statement. 
Option E reverses the cause and effect relationship - stress weakens the immune system and is not a symptom of it. 
 Option C is the right answer

This

ramlala · Answer

Psychologist: Research has shown that a  weakened immune system increases vulnerability to cancer . So, cancer-patient support groups, though derided by those who believe that disease is a purely biochemical phenomenon, may indeed have genuine therapeutic value, as it is clear that participation in  such groups reduces participants’ stress levels .

Which one of the following is an assumption required by the psychologist’s argument?

Here support groups helps to reduce stress levels. Motive of group is to reduce the effect of cancer. so reduce stress level corelates with effect of cancer.
 
(A) Cancer patients can learn to function well under extreme stress. No relation

(B) Disease is not a biochemical phenomenon at all.  No relation

(C) Stress can weaken the immune system.  In line with analysis

(D) Discussing one’s condition eliminates the stress of being in that condition.  No relation

(E) Stress is a symptom of a weakened immune system.  Stress is not a symptom as per argument

Psychologist: Research has shown that a weakened immune system

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

Psychologist: Research has shown that a weakened immune system

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards