LSAT Explanation PT 26, S3, Q13: Using rational argument in advertisements does

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following contains flawed reasoning most similar to the flawed reasoning in the argument above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Parallel Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first break down the argument in the passage:

1. Premise: Using rational argument in advertisements does not persuade people to buy the products being advertised.

2. Conclusion: Advertisers who replace rational argument with nonrational appeals to emotion in advertisements will persuade people to buy the products being advertised.

The argument's structure is as follows:

Rational Argument -> Not Persuade People

Not Rational Argument -> Persuade People

The argument is flawed because it assumes that if rational arguments don't work, nonrational arguments will work. This is a false dichotomy, as there could be other factors influencing people's purchasing decisions.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument would be: "Are there any other factors that could influence people's purchasing decisions besides rational and nonrational appeals?"

Now let's analyze the answer choices:

a) People who ask others for favors are refused. Therefore, anyone who has not had the experience of being refused has never asked for a favor.

This answer choice is incorrect because it does not have the same flawed reasoning as the passage. The passage assumes that if one thing doesn't work, the opposite will. This answer choice assumes that if someone has never been refused, they have never asked for a favor, which is a different type of flawed reasoning.

b) In the past, people who have tried to solve their problems by discussing them have often failed. Therefore, in the future, people who try to solve their problems by discussing them will often fail.

This answer choice is incorrect because it does not have the same flawed reasoning as the passage. The passage assumes that if one thing doesn't work, the opposite will. This answer choice assumes that past failures will predict future failures, which is a different type of flawed reasoning.

c) Using a computer has not improved students' writing skills. Thus, students should not try to improve their writing skills by using a computer.

This answer choice is incorrect because it does not have the same flawed reasoning as the passage. The passage assumes that if one thing doesn't work, the opposite will. This answer choice concludes that students should not try to improve their writing skills by using a computer because it hasn't worked in the past, which is a different type of flawed reasoning.

d) A person who does not have positive letters of reference cannot get a good job. Therefore, the better the letters of reference a person has, the better the job that person will get.

This answer choice is incorrect because it does not have the same flawed reasoning as the passage. The passage assumes that if one thing doesn't work, the opposite will. This answer choice assumes a direct correlation between the quality of letters of reference and the quality of the job, which is a different type of flawed reasoning.

e) People never learn to program a computer by reading poorly written directions. Therefore, if people read well-written directions, they will learn to program a computer.

This answer choice is correct because it has the same flawed reasoning as the passage. The passage assumes that if one thing doesn't work, the opposite will. This answer choice assumes that if poorly written directions don't work, well-written directions will, which is the same type of flawed reasoning.

So, the correct answer is E.