PT156 S4 Q4 ExplanationOvercrowding inclines human beings toward

Answer choices, explained

1. A

   Strengthens3% picked this

   The frequency and severity of overcrowding in the past have been roughly proportional to the

   This choice suggests that overcrowding is proportional to world population growth, supporting the assumption that a growing population leads to more overcrowding.

   3%
2. B

   Strengthens1% picked this

   The frequency and severity of war and crime have generally increased in the past century, and world population

   This choice presents a correlation between a growing population and increased instances of war and crime, thereby making the conclusion that such aggressive behavior will result from overcrowding more plausible. Correlations don't prove there's a causal connection between two things, but they are evidence that there could be a causal connection between two things.

   1%
3. C

   Correct95% picked this

   Some forms of aggressive, competitive behavior, including war, tend to occur even in situations in which human

   Why this is right

   This doesn't strengthen the story that "more people >> more overcrowding >> more aggression/war/crime", since it's talking about aggressive behavior happening even when it's not overcrowded.

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

   95%
4. D

   Strengthens1% picked this

   With respect to its effect on behavior, rush-hour traffic is an example of a situation in which

   The author was using rush-hour traffic as an example of overcrowding leading to aggression. This choice affirms the author's assumption that rush-hour is indeed an example of overcrowding.

   1%
5. E

   Strengthens1% picked this

   Most mammals inhabiting a given region exhibit increasingly aggressive, competitive behavior as their population density

   This choice states that as population density increases (a synonym for population growth / overcrowding), most mammals (including humans) display more aggressive behavior. By supporting the notion that overcrowding leads to aggression in mammals generally, it indirectly strengthens the claim about human behavior.

   1%