Logical Reasoning

PT121 · S1 · Q3 A recent study proves that at

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A recent study proves that at least some people possess an independent “sixth sense” that allows them to detect whether someone is watching them.

Conclusion (proves)

Some people possess a sixth sense that allows them to know when someone is watching them.

Evidence

A study showed that individuals correctly guessed they were being watched 60% of the time (more than 50% of the time, which would be the rate expected by random chance alone).

Evaluate

Since the author is interpreting the results of a study, we can use the Explain Curious Fact framework.

CURIOUS FACT - how were these people correctly guessing that they were being watched at a better than random rate?

EXPLANATION - people possess a sixth sense of "whether they're being watched".

Since this is related to a study suggesting a causal conclusion (people have a sixth sense), we should look for answers that either rule out alternate explanations for the study's findings (e.g., use of the five senses to detect being watched) or make the causal claim more plausible.

Goal

Identify an answer choice that helps rule out alternative explanations such as noises, smells, or shadows influencing participants, or provides additional evidence supporting the idea of a sixth sense.

3.

Which one of the following, if true, most supports the conclusion drawn from the study mentioned above?

  1. Most of the time, subjects

    No Impact

    It's irrelevant whether subjects usually guessed they were being watched or not watched. In either case, their accuracy rate was 60%.

    10% picked this

  2. The person recording the experimental

    No Impact

    Since this is about what happens after the experiment, it has nothing to do with explaining what happened during the experiment.

    3% picked this

  3. Correct

    A similar result was found

    Why this is right

    This states that similar results occurred when individuals were watched from another room via video monitor. It strengthens the conclusion by providing additional data supporting the sixth sense hypothesis and ruling out alternative explanations based on physical presence clues (e.g., sounds, shadows).

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

    86% picked this

  4. The room in which the

    Weakens

    If the room wasn't soundproof, it leaves space for an alternate explanation, such as participants hearing cues, diminishing the claim that a sixth sense is involved.

    1% picked this

  5. The subjects were mostly graduate

    No Impact

    Discussing the origin of the subjects (e.g., where they are from) has no impact on the claim of having a sixth sense, as it doesn't relate to the experimental conditions or results.

    0% picked this

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