A strong correlation exists between what people value and the way they

Question

A strong correlation exists between what people value and the way they act. For example, those who value wealth tend to choose higher-paying jobs in undesirable locations over lower-paying jobs in desirable locations. Thus, knowing what people value can help one predict their actions.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the conclusion of the argument?

(A) Knowing how people behave allows one to infer what they value.
(B) People’s claims concerning what they value are symptomatic of their actions.
(C) No two people who value different things act the same way in identical circumstances.
(D) People who value wealth tend to allow their desire for it to outweigh other concerns.
(E) What people value can be a reliable indicator of how they will act.

KarishmaB · Answer

Conclusion: Knowing what people value can help one predict their actions.

We need the option that means the same as the conclusion:

(A) Knowing how people behave allows one to infer what they value.
This is the reverse of the conclusion. The conclusion says that knowing what they value can help predict actions, not the other way around.

(B) People’s claims concerning what they value are symptomatic of their actions.
The conclusion has nothing to do with people's CLAIMS. Hence irrelevant

(C) No two people who value different things act the same way in identical circumstances.
Not true. The conclusion does not say that. Two people - one valuing money and other comfort could both act the same way in identical circumstances and choose, say, a high paying desk job.

(D) People who value wealth tend to allow their desire for it to outweigh other concerns.
Not true. The conclusion doesn't say that it outweighs other concerns - it may outweigh some, it may not outweigh others. The conclusion just says that we can predict how they will act if we know they value wealth.

(E) What people value can be a reliable indicator of how they will act.
Correct. Since knowing what they value can help us predict how they will act, what people value can be a reliable indicator of how they will act.

Answer (E)

robu1 · Answer

I rejected E because of mention of  Reliable  in the option as nowhere in the stimulus reliability is mention.

adarsh1508 · Answer

Premise Indicator:  ‘For Example’
 Conclusion Indicator:  ‘Thus’

Premise:  For example, those who value wealth tend to choose higher-paying jobs in undesirable locations over lower-paying jobs in desirable locations.

Conclusion:  Thus, knowing what people value can help one predict their actions.

(A) Knowing how people behave allows one to infer what they value.  - This is the exact opposite of the Conclusion drawn in the stimulus 
(B) People’s claims concerning what they value are symptomatic of their actions.  - Shell Game, this seems to be true but the stimulus no where talks about people’s claim. 
(C) No two people who value different things act the same way in identical circumstances.  - This seems out of scope as this seems exaggerated.  
(D) People who value wealth tend to allow their desire for it to outweigh other concerns.  - Again this seems like an exaggeration.  
(E) What people value can be a reliable indicator of how they will act.   - This is directly correlated/synonymous to the conclusion.

A strong correlation exists between what people value and the way they

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A strong correlation exists between what people value and the way they

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