LSAT Explanation PT 40, S3, Q22: Repressors—people who unconsciously inhibit their display

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The argument states that repressors, who unconsciously inhibit their display of emotion, exhibit significant increases in heart rate when they encounter emotion-provoking situations. Similarly, nonrepressors have the same physiological response when they consciously inhibit their display of emotion in such situations. The conclusion of the argument is that the very act of inhibiting displays of emotion, whether done consciously or unconsciously, causes a sharp rise in heart rate.

To help us evaluate this argument, let's ask the following question: "Is there any other factor that could cause a sharp rise in heart rate for both repressors and nonrepressors in emotion-provoking situations?"

Now, let's discuss the answer choices for this Necessary Assumption question.

A) Encountering an emotion-provoking situation is not sufficient to cause nonrepressors' heart rates to rise sharply.

This answer choice is correct because it addresses the "Evaluate" question we posed earlier. If encountering an emotion-provoking situation is enough to cause nonrepressors' heart rates to rise sharply, then the conclusion that inhibiting displays of emotion causes a sharp rise in heart rate would be weakened. Therefore, this assumption is necessary for the argument to hold.

B) Nonrepressors can inhibit facial and bodily displays of emotion as well as repressors do.

This answer choice is not necessary for the argument. The argument is focused on the physiological response of heart rate increase, not the ability to inhibit displays of emotion.

C) Despite their outward calm, repressors normally feel even more excited than do nonrepressors in an emotion-provoking situation.

This answer choice is also not necessary for the argument. The argument is focused on the physiological response of heart rate increase, not the level of excitement felt by repressors compared to nonrepressors.

D) People who are ordinarily very emotional can refrain from feeling strong emotions when experimenters ask them to do so.

This answer choice is not necessary for the argument. The conclusion is about the relationship between inhibiting displays of emotion and heart rate increase, not about the ability of emotional people to refrain from feeling strong emotions.

E) In situations that do not tend to provoke emotions, the average heart rate of repressors is the same as that of nonrepressors.

This answer choice is not necessary for the argument. The argument is focused on the physiological response in emotion-provoking situations, not the average heart rate in non-emotion-provoking situations.

In conclusion, the correct answer is A because it addresses the potential alternate cause for the sharp rise in heart rate and is necessary for the argument to hold.