Logical Reasoning

PT134 · S2 · Q20 Neural connections carrying signals

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Neural connections carrying signals from the cortex (the brain region responsible for thought) down to the amygdala (a brain region crucial for emotions) are less well developed than connections carrying signals from the amygdala up to the cortex.

Conclusion

Thus, the amygdala exerts a greater influence on the cortex than vice versa.

Evidence

Neural connections carrying signals from the cortex (the brain Cortex region responsible for neural ⇑ ↓ thought) down to the connections Amygdala amygdala (a brain region crucial for emotions) are less well developed than connections carrying signals from the amygdala up to the cortex.

Evaluate

The argument assumes that the amount of influence one part of the part exerts on another part of the brain is positively correlated with the development of neural connections transmitting signals in that direction.

20.

The argument's conclusion follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?

  1. The influence that the amygdala

    Out of Scope

    The amount of influence the amygdala exerts on the rest of the brain is irrelevant to a comparison between the influence the amygdala and the cortex exert on each other.

    3% picked this

  2. No other brain region exerts

    Too Weak

    This answer only ensures that the amount of influence the amygdala exerts on the cortex is greater than the influence any other part of the brain exerts on the cortex. This answer leaves unknown the amount of influence the cortex exerts on the amygdala.

    6% picked this

  3. The region of the brain

    Too Weak

    This answer strengthens the relationship between the development of neural connections and the influence one part of the brain has on another. However, the relationship is limited to the amount of influence each part of the brain has on the cortex, but leaves unknown the amount of influence the cortex has on the amygdala.

    18% picked this

  4. The amygdala is not itself

    Out of Scope

    The amygdala could be controlled by one or more other parts of the brain and yet still influence the cortex more than the cortex influences the amygdala. If the amygdala were controlled by another part of the brain it would not diminish the influence it has on the cortex.

    3% picked this

  5. Correct

    The degree of development of

    Why this is right

    If the amount of influence one part of the brain has on another is directly proportional to the development of neural connections transmitting signals in that direction and the neural connections are strong from the amygdala to the cortex than from the cortex to the amygdala, then the amygdala exerts more influence on the cortex than the cortex exerts on the amygdala.

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

    70% picked this

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