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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 1): Psychologist: In a study, children

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harishg

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08 Jul 2024, 10:02

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The stimulus is about an observation wherein the conclusion states that children are more likely to share with family members when they feel they are observed by an authority figure.

This conclusion is supported by a premise which is based on an observation that children share toys with siblings (family members) than non siblings when an adult was present in the room.

We need to strengthen this argument.

A - Familirarity with the toys is irrelevant to the conclusion. We are more concerned about the toy sharing behaviour.

B - Correct. This gives more credence to the argument as the children recognise the authority figure (parents) and behaviour is shaped accordingly. If it was influenced by any observing adult, then the conclusion of being influenced by an authority figure is weakened. An adult turns into an authority figure when the child recognises the adult.

C - If any, this weakens the argument as there is possibly another reason (needed help understanding the toys) for the children to share toys more with siblings.

D - Irrelevant as we are not concerned about the abundance of toys in sharing behaviour among children

E- Despite the explicit encouragement to offer toys to both sibling/non-sibling by the adult figure, toys were shared more with siblings. This points to the fact that something else or the child's own decision was responsible for the behaviour observed.

Therefore, B

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B
The parent encourages them to share with their sibilings

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08 Jul 2024, 10:06

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B - the parent being present strengthes it.
CDE are weakners

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08 Jul 2024, 10:10

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Psychologist: In a study, children were observed in a room filled with various toys. When an adult was present in the room, the children were more likely to share toys with their siblings than with non-siblings. This suggests that children are more inclined to share with family members when they feel they are being observed by an authority figure.

The psychologist's argument would be most strengthened if it were true that, during the study, the children exhibited increased sharing behavior when:

A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home.
This option introduces a variable (novelty of the toys) that is unrelated to the presence of an authority figure or the relationship between the children. It does not strengthen the argument about the influence of an authority figure on sharing behavior specifically with siblings.

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.
This option strengthens the argument because it specifies that the authority figure is someone the children are likely to care about pleasing (a parent). If the presence of a parent (rather than a stranger) leads to increased sharing with siblings, it supports the idea that children are influenced by an authority figure to share more with family members.

C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys.
This option suggests that the increased sharing could be due to the siblings' perceived need for help, rather than the presence of an authority figure. It introduces another factor (need for help) that could explain the behavior, thereby weakening the psychologist's argument about the influence of the authority figure.

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.
Introduces a variable related to availability of resources. It does not address the influence of the authority figure or the relationship between the children. More toys might lead to more sharing in general, not specifically with siblings or due to presence of an authority figure.

E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.
Suggests that the sharing behavior was due to explicit instructions from the adult rather than the children's inclination to share with siblings when observed, thereby weakening the argument

Ans B

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08 Jul 2024, 10:10

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Psychologist argument is true to the effect children emulated adult mentorshipin their behavior

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08 Jul 2024, 10:12

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Conclusion : Presence of Authoritative figure influences the sharing behaviour of children

A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home. - Out of Scope, doesnt talk about sharing behviour

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult. - No such Comparison is drawn

C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys. - No such comparison is drawn between siblings and non siblings

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys. - Out of Scope, doesnt talk about sharing behviour

E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling. - even if the adult explicitly encouraged and still children shared with siblings means the adult's presence influences their sharing behaviour

Answer : E

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08 Jul 2024, 10:12

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Bunuel

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A. Incorrect: If children got new toys in the room then they might not be willing to share it with sibling or any other children. Also we don't know if children will share it with sibling only if they are asked or they are willing to share it.

B. Incorrect: This choice weakens the conclusion.

C. Incorrect: This choice weakens the conclusion.

D. Incorrect: This does not address the concern of sharing the toy with sibling rather than non-sibling in presence of an adult.

E. Correct: When adult encouraged the children they might have felt being observed by someone and as they were not asked to share it with sibling and they still shared it with sibling that means they are inclined to share it with family member while being observed. So, this actually supports the conclusion.

smile2

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08 Jul 2024, 10:17

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A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home.

We are looking for a strengthener to the argument by finding the answer choice that goes along during the study, the children exhibited increased sharing behavior when.
As this choice says, when the toys were new to the children than toys they had previously played with at home and the children exhibit increased sharing behaviour, then it alleviates the malicious variable linked to the toys that the children played with siblings at home. There could be a scenario such as these children were more likely to share with the siblings because these toys were already played with the siblings at home and hence the likeliness to share with sibiling than with non-siblings.

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.
The argument just mentions an authority figure. It could be anybody. It does not add up to why children were more likely to share toys with siblings than with non-siblings.

C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys.
This doesn't suggest more of an explanation pointing to children feeling that they are observed by an authority figure.

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.
This choice doesn't explain why the children were more likely to share toys with siblings than with non-siblings.

E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.
This goes out of the conclusion. Because the periphery of the conclusion is that children are more inclined to share with family members when they feel they are being observed by an authority figure.

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08 Jul 2024, 10:23

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IMO A
as it removes a doubt that, what if children were sharing toys because they were bored of playing at home, or they usually share at home as well

Abdelaali91

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08 Jul 2024, 10:24

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Answer choices A, C, and D are out of scope.
Between B and D: the passage says that the room is filled with toys so anwsrr choice D does not bring anything new.
Correct anwser B.

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08 Jul 2024, 10:40

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08 Jul 2024, 10:41

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The psychologist observed that children were more likely to share toys with their siblings when an adult was present in the room. To strengthen this argument, we need to find an option that supports the idea that children are more inclined to share with family members when they feel observed by an authority figure.Let's evaluate each answer choice:A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home.

This does not directly relate to the presence of an authority figure affecting sharing behavior between siblings and non-siblings. Incorrect.

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult. (Correct)

This directly addresses the influence of the observer being an authority figure who is also a parent. It strengthens the argument that children are more likely to share with siblings under the observation of a parent, who is seen as an authority figure. This option strengthens the psychologist's argument. Keep this choice.

C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys.

This introduces a different factor (age and need for help) rather than focusing on the influence of an authority figure. Incorrect.

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.

This addresses the availability of toys, not the influence of an authority figure on sharing behavior between siblings and non-siblings. Incorrect.

E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.

This suggests external encouragement to share, but does not specifically strengthen the argument about the influence of an authority figure on differential sharing behavior between siblings and non-siblings. Incorrect.

Therefore, the answer that most strengthens the psychologist's argument is:

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.

This choice directly supports the idea that children are more inclined to share with family members (siblings) when an authority figure (parent) is present.

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08 Jul 2024, 10:46

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As per the psychologist, the children share toys with siblings when they feel they are being observed by an authority figure. To strengthen the psychologist's observation, we need to identify the option which establishes the relation between presence of authority and increased likelihood of sharing

Let's analyse and eliminate options:

A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home. - Doesn't explain why the children are more likely to share with siblings.

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult. - If children are more likely to share with siblings when observed by a parent compared to a stranger, it suggests that a familiar presence of authority is affecting the sharing behavior. Here a parent is a familiar person, who has authority over the children.

C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys. - Is this true for all possible sibling-non siblling or sibling-sibling combination present in the room?

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys. - This situation doesn't explain why the children are more likely to share with siblings.

E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling. - This option focuses on encouragement rather than authority of the observing adult.

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08 Jul 2024, 10:48

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Bunuel

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A) The Toys being new or old doesn't strengthen why kids were willing to share. It might be easier for kids to share it because it was new and their own

B)The adult being parent or not doesn't matter, The conclusion only mentions about authoritive figure

C)This one strengthens the fact that kids are willing to share with family members more because even though the siblings doesn't know to use, they are willing to help despite other non siblings being able to use the toys easily

D) This doesn't explain or support why the kids were willing to share with sbilings and not others

E)This means that adult explicitly told kids to share toys, this doesn't say why they did share with siblings

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08 Jul 2024, 11:11

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Bunuel

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This option directly addresses the influence of the observing adult being a parent, which is likely to strengthen the argument that children are more inclined to share with siblings under the observation of a familiar authority figure.

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08 Jul 2024, 11:15

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Bunuel

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IMO B

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08 Jul 2024, 11:17

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D will provide more evidence to claim supportings from the passage :
Supporting : Adult Observer , Children sharing toys with siblings over non Siblings. Hence children are more inclined to share with family members.

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08 Jul 2024, 11:27

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Let's go through each answer choice.

(A) This does not contribute to the psychologist's argument

(B) It is not clear what effect this would have but if anything, it would weaken the psychologist's argument as the child would feel more pressure to share with ANY authority figure as in this case, there is a conflict of interest with the authority figure.

(C) Again, this would only push the kids to share their toys with non-siblings as they would not have to spend additional time expalining how to use the toys

(D) More toys means more incentive to share and less of a clear framework for the psychologist to work with.

(E) This would give the children instructions to share after which, it would be easier to observe to whom the toys were shared. The additional pressure would contribute to the parameters of the experiment that were being measured.

Bunuel

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08 Jul 2024, 11:33

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I think it will be E.

Observation: When an adult is present, children are more likely to share toys with their siblings than non-siblings.

Inference: Children are more inclined to share with family members when they feel they are being observed by an authority figure.

Objective: Finding which option, if true, would strengthen the argument as per the following condition: during the study, the children exhibited increased sharing behavior when: (this is very important because the answer depends on it. Thus adding it before every option helps in finding out our answer).

A. the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home.

During the study, the children exhibited increased sharing behavior when the toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home.

If this is true, then in no way does it strengthen our inference that children are more inclined to share with family members when an authority figure is present. So eliminate.

B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.

During the study, the children exhibited increased sharing behavior when the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.

This does look appealing in some ways but if you look closely, it doesn't address anything related to our inference. Ask yourself, how does it strengthen our inference that children are more inclined to share with family members when being watched by an adult? Sure, this option addresses the authority figure but our inference is not about that. Eliminate

C. the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys.

During the study, the children exhibited increased sharing behavior when the siblings were younger and appeared to need help understanding how to use the toys, compared to non-siblings who were adept at using the toys.

So they needed help from their siblings and thus shared their toys. Doesn't strengthen the inference that they shared with their family members when being watched by an adult. Eliminate

D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.

During the study, the children exhibited increased sharing behavior when the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.

Simply reading it together tells us that it's not correct. Room had more toys, thus they shared. Not what we are looking for. Eliminate

E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.

During the study, the children exhibited increased sharing behavior when the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.

This means that despite equal encouragement to share with both siblings and non-siblings, the observed behavior was that children shared more with siblings. This directly supports the psychologist's argument that children have a natural inclination to share more with family members when being observed by an authority figure.