rnn wrote:
why is E incorrect?
(E) Some of the rhesus monkeys in the experiment were subjected to levels of crowding that are unlikely to occur in natural circumstances.
i was thinking on the lines that if the monkeys were in their natural circumstances this would have led to fighting but since they were test subjects this led to coping behaviour instead of fighting...
There are a couple of issues with answer choice (E). First, take another look at the conclusion of the argument from the passage:
Quote:
"it [is] doubtful that crowding significantly increases aggressive impulses in primates."
This conclusion makes a statement about how crowded conditions affect aggressive impulses in primates. It does not specific
how these conditions came about, or if they are likely to occur in the wild. So, it is not relevant to consider whether the levels of crowding are likely to occur in natural circumstances -- it only matters what
does happen to primates when they find themselves in crowded conditions.
Also, answer choice (E) tells us that "some" of the monkeys were subjected to unnaturally crowded conditions. Does "some" mean just a few of the monkeys, or a large minority, or half? We have no way of knowing what "some" really means in this context, so we cannot say how much it impacts the conclusion.
For these reasons, answer choice (E) does not "most seriously weaken" the argument.
I hope that helps!
_________________
GMAT/GRE/EA tutors @
www.gmatninja.com (
hiring!) |
YouTube |
Articles |
IG Beginners' Guides:
RC |
CR |
SC |
Complete Resource Compilations:
RC |
CR |
SC YouTube LIVE webinars:
all videos by topic +
24-hour marathon for UkraineQuestion Explanation Collections:
RC |
CR |
SC