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12 Aug 2024, 07:30
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B
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
65%
(hard)
Question Stats:
49% (01:24) correct
51%
(01:22)
wrong
based on 39
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In a study, children were observed in a room filled with unfamiliar toys. When no adult was present, they shared equally with siblings and non-siblings. When an authority figure (a parent or teacher) was present, the children shared toys more often with their siblings than with non-siblings. Therefore, the psychologist concludes that children are especially inclined to share with family members when they know 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.
B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.
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.
D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.
E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.
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.
B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.
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.
D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.
E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.
17 May 2025, 03:10
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I disagree with the OA. It claims that it strengthens the psychologist’s argument that children are more inclined to share with family when they are being observed by an authority figure. However, this actually undermines the causal inference the psychologist is making. The argument seeks to attribute the cause of increased sharing with siblings to the presence of an authority figure — not to the authority figure being someone emotionally close or familiar to the child. By introducing a parent as the observer, (B) confounds the variable of authority with emotional attachment and desire to please a caregiver. Children may be more likely to share with siblings in front of a parent not because the parent is an authority figure per se, but because they want to gain approval or avoid disapproval from someone emotionally significant.
In other words, (B) muddies the waters: if a parent is present, it becomes unclear whether the observed behavior is driven by general authority pressure, or by familial dynamics
(E) is better because it provides a control condition that helps isolate the variable of interest — the psychologist’s claim that the presence of an authority figure amplifies a child’s tendency to share more with family. In this scenario, the adult (authority) applies equal social pressure to share across all peer types. If children preferentially share more with siblings under these neutral conditions, it strengthens the argument that authority presence accentuates familial loyalty, rather than just prompting general compliance or fairness.
In other words, (B) muddies the waters: if a parent is present, it becomes unclear whether the observed behavior is driven by general authority pressure, or by familial dynamics
(E) is better because it provides a control condition that helps isolate the variable of interest — the psychologist’s claim that the presence of an authority figure amplifies a child’s tendency to share more with family. In this scenario, the adult (authority) applies equal social pressure to share across all peer types. If children preferentially share more with siblings under these neutral conditions, it strengthens the argument that authority presence accentuates familial loyalty, rather than just prompting general compliance or fairness.
General Discussion
12 Aug 2024, 07:30
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Official Solution:
In a study, children were observed in a room filled with unfamiliar toys. When no adult was present, they shared equally with siblings and non-siblings. When an authority figure (a parent or teacher) was present, the children shared toys more often with their siblings than with non-siblings. Therefore, the psychologist concludes that children are especially inclined to share with family members when they know 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.
B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.
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.
D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.
E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.
Correct Answer: B. The observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.
This answer strengthens the psychologist's argument that children are more inclined to share with family members when observed by an authority figure by specifying that the authority figure is closely related to the children. This suggests that the presence of a familiar authority figure (like a parent), as opposed to a stranger, might have a significant impact on the children's choice to share specifically with siblings, reinforcing the observation's connection to familial authority.
A. The toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home.
This choice does not directly affect the children's decision to share with siblings versus non-siblings when observed by an adult. It focuses on the novelty of toys, which is unrelated to the influence of an adult observer on familial sharing behavior.
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 choice introduces another variable (the age and competence of the children) that could influence sharing behavior, but it does not directly support the idea that observation by an adult specifically encourages sharing with siblings.
D. The room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.
This option focuses on the availability of toys rather than the influence of an adult's presence on sharing behavior. While more toys might make sharing easier, it doesn’t specifically strengthen the argument about sharing more with siblings under adult observation.
E. The adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.
This choice weakens the argument rather than strengthening it. If the adult encouraged sharing with all children equally, it suggests that the observed difference in sharing between siblings and non-siblings might not be influenced by the adult’s familial relationship but simply by general encouragement to share.
Answer: B
In a study, children were observed in a room filled with unfamiliar toys. When no adult was present, they shared equally with siblings and non-siblings. When an authority figure (a parent or teacher) was present, the children shared toys more often with their siblings than with non-siblings. Therefore, the psychologist concludes that children are especially inclined to share with family members when they know 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.
B. the observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.
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.
D. the room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.
E. the adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.
Correct Answer: B. The observing adult was a parent of the siblings, rather than a stranger or non-relative adult.
This answer strengthens the psychologist's argument that children are more inclined to share with family members when observed by an authority figure by specifying that the authority figure is closely related to the children. This suggests that the presence of a familiar authority figure (like a parent), as opposed to a stranger, might have a significant impact on the children's choice to share specifically with siblings, reinforcing the observation's connection to familial authority.
A. The toys in the room were new to the children, rather than toys they had previously played with at home.
This choice does not directly affect the children's decision to share with siblings versus non-siblings when observed by an adult. It focuses on the novelty of toys, which is unrelated to the influence of an adult observer on familial sharing behavior.
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 choice introduces another variable (the age and competence of the children) that could influence sharing behavior, but it does not directly support the idea that observation by an adult specifically encourages sharing with siblings.
D. The room had more toys available than usual, making it easier for children to find and share multiple toys.
This option focuses on the availability of toys rather than the influence of an adult's presence on sharing behavior. While more toys might make sharing easier, it doesn’t specifically strengthen the argument about sharing more with siblings under adult observation.
E. The adult explicitly encouraged the children to share, regardless of whether the other child was a sibling or a non-sibling.
This choice weakens the argument rather than strengthening it. If the adult encouraged sharing with all children equally, it suggests that the observed difference in sharing between siblings and non-siblings might not be influenced by the adult’s familial relationship but simply by general encouragement to share.
Answer: B
