Logical Reasoning

PT114 · S4 · Q13 A recent study reveals that television

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A recent study reveals that television advertising does not significantly affect children’s preferences for breakfast cereals.

Conclusion (reveals that)

Television advertising does not significantly affect children's preferences for breakfast cereals.

Evidence

The study compared two groups of children: one that watched no television and another that watched average amounts. Both groups showed a strong preference for heavily advertised sugary cereals.

Evaluate

This is an Anti-Causal argument, because the conclusion is saying that one thing doesn't affect another thing.

GIVEN THAT kids showed a preference for sweet cereals whether they watched TV or not, HOW CAN WE ARGUE THAT tv ads do significantly affect kids' preferences for cereal?

Goal

Identify an answer choice that provides evidence or a causal mechanism indicating that TV advertising does, in fact, influence cereal preferences, contrary to the conclusion.

13.

Which one of the following statements, if true, most weakens the argument?

  1. Correct

    The preferences of children who

    Why this is right

    This states that the preferences of children who don't watch TV advertising are influenced by those who do, suggesting that TV ads either directly or indirectly affect all children's preferences. This establishes a causal link between TV advertising and preferences, counter to the conclusion. It offers a different explanation for why TV-kids and non-TV kids both prefer sweet cereals. It's not just because they inherently prefer the sweet cereal. It's because ads brainwashed the TV-kids, and then those kids brainwashed the non-TV kids.

    Skill tested: Weaken · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    69% picked this

  2. The preference for sweets is

    Weakens

    This proposes that preference for sweets, which can be shaped by TV advertising, isn’t a universal trait, introducing a potential role for ads but lacks direct evidence or scope regarding specific cereal preferences in this context.

    8% picked this

  3. Most of the children in

    No Impact

    This mentions familiarity with ads among TV-watching children without directly affecting non-TV watchers' similar preferences, thus not offering alternate reasoning for shared preferences.

    10% picked this

  4. Both groups rejected cereals low

    Strengthens

    This reveals both groups rejected low-sugar cereals despite advertising, supporting the claim that advertising doesn’t influence preferences for sugary cereals, reinforcing the conclusion.

    12% picked this

  5. Cereal preferences of adults who

    Weakens (Slightly Relevant)

    This hints at a pattern where adult TV watchers' preferences differ from non-watchers, implying TV influence. However, it concerns adults and diverts from the specifics of the children's study.

    1% picked this

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