The psychological stress of telling a lie produces certain physiologic

Question

The psychological stress of telling a lie produces certain physiological changes. By using appropriate instruments, the physiological symptoms of lying can be measured and result in reliable lie detection.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens the above argument?

(A) lie detectors are sensitive machines that require constant maintenance

(B) lying is only moderately stress-inducing to some people

(C) lie detector operators must be highly trained and careful

(D) numerous kinds of psychological stress produce similar physiological symptoms

(E) measurement instruments such as lie detectors can be misused and abused

Gozmit5 · Answer

The main choice is between B and D. Since B mentions  some people , implying that for most of the people it is sufficiently stress inducing we can infer that lie detectors are mostly accurate. Whereas D challenges the underlying principle of lie detection since it won't be able to accurately produce a conclusive result. 
 Hence D should be the answer

wadhwakaran · Answer

The argument depends on certain physiological changes. What if these physiological changes can also be produced due to psychological stress of something other than lying. We can still measure these changes but cannot be certain of whether these changes are because of lying or something else. therefore lie detection is not certain. 
option D.

further in my opinion, option B is a strengthener. because it clearly adds that lying is stress inducing to some people and some can be (1-100) meaning that even though moderately the stress is produced in all the people.

unraveled · Answer

The psychological stress of telling a lie produces certain physiological changes. By using appropriate instruments, the physiological symptoms of lying can be measured and result in reliable lie detection.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens the above argument?

(A) lie detectors are sensitive machines that  require constant maintenance  - WRONG. Irrelevant in the context.

(B) lying is only moderately stress-inducing to  some people  - WRONG. 'Some' is not enough for making a claim. It is questionable degree of people being affected.

(C) lie detector operators must be highly trained and careful - WRONG. Yes, a requisite but doesn't affect the passage. Irrelevant somewhat in this context.

(D) numerous kinds of psychological stress produce similar physiological symptoms - CORRECT. What if the results measured are actually caused by other psychological stress? This may lead to wrong conclusions, affecting the reliability.

(E) measurement instruments such as lie detectors  can be misused and abused  - WRONG. A strengthener actually in a way that it is reliable enough to be used against someone.

Answer D.

The psychological stress of telling a lie produces certain physiologic

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

The psychological stress of telling a lie produces certain physiologic

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