Logical Reasoning

PT124 · S3 · Q11 A recent epidemiological study

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A recent epidemiological study found that businesspeople who travel internationally on business are much more likely to suffer from chronic insomnia than are businesspeople who do not travel on business.

Evidence

A recent epidemiological study found that businesspeople who travel internationally on business are much more likely to suffer from chronic insomnia than are businesspeople who do not travel on business.

International travelers experience the stresses of dramatic changes in climate, frequent disruption of daily routines, and immersion in cultures other than their own, stresses not commonly felt by those who do not travel.

Conclusion (thus)

It is likely that these stresses cause the insomnia.

Evaluate

The argument mistakes correlation for causation. That international business travel and insomnia are correlated does not establish that the stresses of international travel cause insomnia. Perhaps something else can explain why international business travelers are more likely to suffer from chronic insomnia than those who do not travel on business.

11.

Which one of the following would, if true, most strengthen the reasoning above?

  1. Most international travel for the

    Weaken

    This undermines the relevance of the stresses from international travel by reducing the degree of changes in climate, disruption of daily routines, and culture.

    5% picked this

  2. Some businesspeople who travel internationally

    Weaken

    This minimizes the stresses that international business travelers experience.

    0% picked this

  3. Correct

    Businesspeople who already suffer from

    Why this is right

    This rules out a possible alternative explanation of the correlation between international business travel and chronic insomnia.

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

    71% picked this

  4. Experiencing dramatic changes in climate

    Weaken

    This minimizes the stresses that international business travelers experience.

    2% picked this

  5. Some businesspeople who once traveled

    Weaken

    This undermines the correlation between international business travel and chronic insomnia.

    22% picked this

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