LSAT Explanation PT 32, S4, Q21: Experimental psychology requires the application of

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following arguments exhibits a flawed pattern of reasoning most similar to that exhibited by the argument above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Parallel Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The argument in the passage states that experimental psychology requires the application of statistics to interpret empirical data and assess their significance. A person will not be able to understand such applications without training in statistics. Therefore, the more training one has in statistics, the better one will be at research in experimental psychology. The structure of this argument is:

Premise: Experimental psychology requires the application of statistics.

Premise: A person cannot understand these applications without training in statistics.

Conclusion: The more training one has in statistics, the better one will be at research in experimental psychology.

The flaw in this argument is that it assumes that because something (training in statistics) is necessary for a positive outcome (being good at research in experimental psychology), more of it will result in an even better outcome. This is not necessarily the case. For example, water is necessary for plants to grow, but it doesn't mean that more water will make the plants grow even better.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument would be: "Does having more training in statistics always lead to better research in experimental psychology?"

Now, let's analyze the answer choices:

a) Most people need the love and support of others; without it, they become depressed and unhappy. Therefore, in most instances, the more love and support a person receives, the happier that person will be.

This answer choice exhibits the same flawed pattern of reasoning as the passage. It assumes that because love and support are necessary for happiness, more of it will result in even greater happiness. This is not necessarily the case, as there could be other factors influencing a person's happiness. Therefore, answer choice A is the correct answer.

b) Since in most jobs there are annual wage or salary increases, the longer one has worked, the more raises one will have received. Therefore, in a typical job, the longer one has worked, the greater one's income will be.

This answer choice does not exhibit the same flawed pattern of reasoning as the passage. It does not assume that having more of something necessary leads to a better outcome. Instead, it simply states a correlation between working longer and having a greater income. This answer choice can be eliminated.

c) The main cause of heart attacks is arteriosclerosis, the buildup of plaque on the interior wall of the coronary arteries. It develops over an extended period of time. Therefore, if one is at risk for arteriosclerosis, one becomes more likely to suffer a heart attack as one gets older.

This answer choice does not exhibit the same flawed pattern of reasoning as the passage. It does not assume that having more of something necessary leads to a better outcome. Instead, it states a cause-and-effect relationship between arteriosclerosis and heart attacks, which is not the same as the flaw in the passage. This answer choice can be eliminated.

d) Since many disease processes are biochemical in nature, unless one understands chemistry one will not be able to understand the explanations for many diseases. Therefore, if one has no training in chemistry, one will not be able to master medicine.

This answer choice does not exhibit the same flawed pattern of reasoning as the passage. It does not assume that having more of something necessary leads to a better outcome. Instead, it states a necessary condition for understanding many diseases (training in chemistry) and concludes that without it, one cannot master medicine. This answer choice can be eliminated.

e) Since most disease processes are biochemical in nature, an understanding of chemistry will enable one to understand most diseases. Therefore, one needs little more than training in chemistry to be able to master medicine.

This answer choice does not exhibit the same flawed pattern of reasoning as the passage. It does not assume that having more of something necessary leads to a better outcome. Instead, it states that an understanding of chemistry is crucial for understanding most diseases, but it does not make the same assumption about having more training leading to better outcomes. This answer choice can be eliminated.

In conclusion, answer choice A is the correct answer because it exhibits the same flawed pattern of reasoning as the passage, assuming that having more of something necessary leads to a better outcome. The other answer choices do not exhibit this flawed pattern of reasoning and can be eliminated.