In humans, the pilomotor reflex leads to the response commonly known

Question

In humans, the pilomotor reflex leads to the response commonly known as goose bumps, and this response is widely considered to be vestigial—that is, something formerly having a greater physiological advantage than at present. It occurs when the tiny muscle at the base of a hair follicle contracts, pulling the hair upright. In animals with feathers, fur, or quills, this creates a layer of insulating warm air or a reason for predators to think twice before attacking. But human hair is too puny to serve these functions. Goose bumps in humans may, however, have acquired a new role. Like flushing—another thermoregulatory (heat-regulating) mechanism—goose bumps have become linked with emotional responses, notably fear, rage, or the pleasure of, say, listening to beautiful music. They may thus serve as a signal to others.

In explaining the “new role” (line 7) that goose bumps in humans may have acquired, the author assumes which of the following?

In explaining the “new role” (line 7) that goose bumps in humans may have acquired, the author assumes which of the following?

A Emotional responses in humans can be triggered by thermoregulatory mechanisms.

B The perceptibility of emotional responses to other humans offers some kind of benefit.

C If human hair were more substantial, goose bumps would not have acquired a new role.

D Goose bumps in animals with feathers, fur, or quills may also be linked to emotional responses.

E In humans, goose bumps represent an older physiological response than flushing.

Can someone explain the negation method for eliminating option C?

GmatPrime · Answer

A Emotional responses in humans  can be triggered by  thermoregulatory mechanisms.
We know that these two-emotional responses and thermoregulatory mechanisms- are linked but nothing in the argument tells us that one triggers the other or vice-versa. Hence, incorrect.

B The perceptibility of emotional responses to other humans offers some kind of benefit.

Towards the end of the argument, the words 'new role' have been used in the premise and 'may thus serve as a signal to others' have been used as part of the conclusion, but without stating if the role being served is- beneficial or detrimental? or if the signals being sent out are- Good or bad?
 The argument starts by mentioning about 'something formerly having a greater physiological advantage  than at present ' relating to goose bumps.  This first sentence is what helps us put the pieces together and conclude that the argument is about the beneficial role of goose bumps.

C If human hair were more substantial, goose bumps  would not have acquired a new role .
It is a bit of a stretch to say that human hair would not have acquired a new role. What if they were substantial but were need to fulfill another purpose. This option does create some confusion but the certainty of 'would not have' is far fetched. The phrase 'might not have' would have been more more apt.

D Goose bumps in animals with feathers, fur, or quills may also be linked to emotional responses.
Option D  does not address the premis e which deals with the ' new role ' or the conclusion- 'may serve as a signal to others'.

E In humans, goose bumps represent an older physiological response than flushing.
No data provided about the two. Also,  negating does not undermine the argument . Being an older or newer physiological response does not link to the 'new role'. Just the 'role' is new, not the existence of the response itself. We can't compare the two based on the info provided in the stimulus.

Answer option B.

SafSin28 · Answer

This is one of the coolest argument I have ever seen. Thank you by the way for this.

QS: Assumption

Argument: 
The pilomotor reflex ----> goose bumps = vestigial = something formerly having a greater physiological advantage than at present. (So it was formerly beneficial than it is now)

It occurs when .... (Blah-blah just explanation when it occurs)

In some animals this (goose bump) creates: 
1. a layer of insulating warm air (keeping warm? Probably in cold?) 
2. a reason for predators to think twice before attacking. (Warning off predators?)

But human hair is too puny to serve these functions. (It doesn't serve these two. Premise)

Goose bumps in humans may, however, have acquired a new role. (This is conclusion)

Like flushing, goose bumps have become linked with emotional responses (blah-blah. Premise). 
They may thus serve as a signal to others. (Intermediate conclusion or another premise)

Warm-up: So how do we come to "new role"? What is the old role? Is it given in the stimulus?

Sure here it is:
vestigial = something formerly having a greater physiological advantage than at present. (So it was formerly beneficial than it is now. This means if it presents some new benefit now, it is the answer we looked for)

A Emotional responses in humans can be triggered by thermoregulatory mechanisms.---> It describes a premise. OUT.

B The perceptibility of emotional responses to other humans offers some kind of benefit.---> Aha. Is it offering a new benefit? Keep it.

C If human hair were more substantial, goose bumps would not have acquired a new role.---> It is tricky if you do not pay attention to the context. In the context we are given "too puny hair" not "substantial hair". Even if it is true for substantial hair, we may miss about "too puny hair" thereby gone out of the scope. So OUT.

D Goose bumps in animals with feathers, fur, or quills may also be linked to emotional responses.---> Does this connect to the conclusion about new role in people? Nope. OUT.

E In humans, goose bumps represent an older physiological response than flushing.---> Does this connect to the conclusion directly? Nope but it presents extra new info (perhaps additional premise). So OUT

B is correct✅

AdarshSambare · Answer

The passage says:

* Goose bumps were useful in animals with thick hair or feathers (insulation or defense).
* In humans, hair is too thin for that use.
* But goose bumps may now serve a “new role”: showing emotions like fear, rage, or pleasure.
* This makes them a **signal to others** (like flushing does).

So the author is basically saying: *Even though goose bumps are useless for insulation/defense, they might now be useful as a social signal.*

For that reasoning to hold, the author is assuming that **other people can perceive goose bumps and that such perception is beneficial somehow**. Otherwise, they couldn’t serve as a signal.

Now check the answer choices:

**A.** Emotional responses in humans can be triggered by thermoregulatory mechanisms.

* Not required. The argument is about goose bumps being *visible* signals, not about triggers.

**B.** The perceptibility of emotional responses to other humans offers some kind of benefit.

* Yes! This is the assumption. If signaling emotions had no benefit, goose bumps wouldn’t have acquired a new role.

**C.** If human hair were more substantial, goose bumps would not have acquired a new role.

* Interesting but irrelevant. Doesn’t matter for the argument.

**D.** Goose bumps in animals with feathers, fur, or quills may also be linked to emotional responses.

* Not needed. Passage is about humans.

**E.** In humans, goose bumps represent an older physiological response than flushing.

* Not discussed, irrelevant.

Correct Answer: **B** 
Because the assumption is that showing emotional responses through goose bumps has *some advantage*, otherwise they wouldn’t have a meaningful “new role.”

In humans, the pilomotor reflex leads to the response commonly known

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In humans, the pilomotor reflex leads to the response commonly known

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