Journal: In several psychological studies, subjects were given stateme

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Journal: In several psychological studies, subjects were given statements to read that caused them to form new beliefs. Later, the subjects were told that the original statements were false. The studies report, however, that most subjects persevered in their newly acquired beliefs, even after being told that the original statements were false. This strongly suggests that humans continue to hold onto acquired beliefs even in the absence of any credible evidence to support them.

Which one of the following, if true, most undermines the journal’s argument?

Which one of the following, if true, most undermines the journal’s argument?

(A) Regardless of the truth of what the subjects were later told, the beliefs based on the original statements were, for the most part, correct.

(B) It is unrealistic to expect people to keep track of the original basis of their beliefs, and to revise a belief when its original basis is undercut.

(C) The statements originally given to the subjects would be highly misleading even if true.

(D) Most of the subjects had acquired confirmation of their newly acquired beliefs by the time they were told that the original statements were false.

(E) Most of the subjects were initially skeptical of the statements originally given to them.

ArunSharma12 · Answer

(A) Regardless of the truth of what the subjects were later told, the beliefs based on the original statements were, for the most part, correct.
 This supports the fact that once subjects acquired a belief they will not be ready to let go it even when told it is not true

(B) It is unrealistic to expect people to keep track of the original basis of their beliefs, and to revise a belief when its original basis is undercut.
 this supports the claim

(C) The statements originally given to the subjects would be highly misleading even if true.
 This supports the claim

(D) Most of the subjects had acquired confirmation of their newly acquired beliefs by the time they were told that the original statements were false.
 This presents an alternate evidence which serves as the base for subjects' belief. This undermines the claim that subjects did not have any evidence to hold on to their acquired belief.

(E) Most of the subjects were initially skeptical of the statements originally given to them.
 This does not provide the reason for them to support the statements later 
Ans: D

exc4libur · Answer

argument
=subjects read text that caused new beliefs
=later, were told these texts were false
=but, even after being told fake, they kept their beliefs
=therefore, humans hold to their new beliefs despite credible facts

wkn
(A) this is ref to the veracity of their beliefs, but we want to weaken the perseverance of their beliefs.

ans (D) if they got new beliefs at the time they wer told that it was false, then, such perseverance seems less likely, argument falls.

sudhsham · Answer

D feels skeptical.

As per this option, even if they had "acquired confirmation", the subjects were later informed that the original statements were false. So, this doesn't explain/resolve why subjects continued to hold the belief.

I am confused. Can any expert pitch in please?

GMATQuizMaster · Answer

Hi  sudhsham ,

What we need to undermine is-  humans continue to hold onto acquired beliefs even in the absence of any credible evidence to support them.

Now, does the argument confirm that these people did not have any credible evidence to support their belief? No.

Choice D, on the other hand, conveys that most of these people had acquired confirmation of their newly acquired beliefs - which means that most of these people had credible evidence to support their beliefs.

In that case, will the conclusion be reliable?

In that case, will the conclusion be reliable?

PS: This is not a paradox question. The correct answer choice needs to convey why the conclusion might not hold. It need not resolve anything.

Hope that helps, 
 Regards

anirudhjay · Answer

I must admit that after having read the explanations,  I still have not understood why A is incorrect.

Being  told  that the original statements were false, did not mean that they were necessarily  actually  false. The fact that the beliefs based on the original statements were, for the most part, correct, does little to support the conclusion, namely, that humans continue to hold onto acquired beliefs even in the absence of any credible evidence to support them.

Can someone point out what's wrong with my reasoning?  Thanks in advance!!

guddo · Answer

Journal: In several psychological studies, subjects were given statements to read that caused them to form new beliefs. Later, the subjects were told that the original statements were false. The studies report, however, that most subjects persevered in their newly acquired beliefs, even after being told that the original statements were false. This strongly suggests that humans continue to hold onto acquired beliefs even in the absence of any credible evidence to support them.

Which one of the following, if true, most undermines the journal’s argument?

Which one of the following, if true, most undermines the journal’s argument?

The journal cites studies where people formed new beliefs based on given statements. Later, they were told the statements were false, yet most kept their beliefs. The journal concludes this shows humans hold beliefs even without credible evidence.

We need to find the option that most undermines this conclusion. The argument assumes that after learning the original statements were false, the subjects have no credible evidence for their beliefs. To weaken this, show they might have other credible evidence.

(A) Regardless of the truth of what the subjects were later told, the beliefs based on the original statements were, for the most part, correct.

This says the beliefs are true, but it does not show the subjects have credible evidence for them. Truth alone does not equal having evidence.

(B) It is unrealistic to expect people to keep track of the original basis of their beliefs, and to revise a belief when its original basis is undercut.

This explains why subjects might not change their beliefs, but it does not provide an alternative source of credible evidence. It does not weaken the claim about lacking evidence.

(C) The statements originally given to the subjects would be highly misleading even if true.

This describes the nature of the original statements, but it does not give a reason why subjects kept their beliefs after learning those statements were false. It does not weaken.

(D) Most of the subjects had acquired confirmation of their newly acquired beliefs by the time they were told that the original statements were false.

This directly weakens the argument. If subjects got confirmation (evidence) for their beliefs before hearing the original statements were false, then they have credible evidence. Therefore, they are not holding beliefs "in the absence of any credible evidence."

(E) Most of the subjects were initially skeptical of the statements originally given to them.

Initial skepticism might affect how strongly beliefs were formed, but it does not provide an alternative source of credible evidence for the beliefs. It does not undermine the conclusion.

Therefore, option (D) undermines the journal's argument by showing the subjects likely had credible evidence (confirmation) for their beliefs, challenging the claim that they held beliefs without evidence.

Answer: (D)

guddo · Answer

The journal concludes people hold beliefs  without evidence  because they kept them after learning the original statements were false.

To weaken this, you must show they  might have evidence .

Option A says the beliefs were mostly  correct  (true).

But truth is not evidence. They could be right by luck or for reasons unknown to them.

It doesn't show they  have credible evidence , so it doesn't attack the conclusion.

Option D weakens it by giving them an alternative source of evidence (confirmation), which directly challenges the "no evidence" claim.

Journal: In several psychological studies, subjects were given stateme

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Journal: In several psychological studies, subjects were given stateme

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615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

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