PT158 S3 Q23 ExplanationAccording to rational-choice theory

Answer choices, explained

1. A

   Correct41% picked this

   economically motivated decisions by voters need not constitute a

   Why this is right

   The sociologists' argument: complex phenomena cannot be caused by simple phenomena. They apply this to reject rational-choice theory, which explains political party support (a complex phenomenon) through individual voters' economically motivated decisions. For this objection to be internally coherent, the sociologists must be classifying economically motivated voter decisions as a simple — not complex — phenomenon. If those decisions were complex, the sociologists' own principle would not apply to the situation, and the objection would fail. This answer captures exactly what the sociologists must believe: economically motivated decisions by voters need not constitute a complex phenomenon. The "need not" qualifier is appropriately modest — the sociologists believe these decisions do not automatically rise to the level of complexity, which is all that is required for their objection to function.

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

   41%
2. B

   Too Strong39% picked this

   a complex phenomenon generally will have many

   The sociologists' principle is that complex phenomena cannot be caused by simple phenomena. This does not mean they believe complex phenomena generally have "many complex causes." Their principle distinguishes only between simple and complex causes — it does not make a claim about the quantity of causes. A complex phenomenon might have a single complex cause, according to their logic. This answer adds a claim about multiplicity ("many complex causes") that goes beyond what the sociologists' stated principle requires. The passage gives us their principle about simple vs. complex, not a theory about how many causes complex phenomena typically have.

   39%
3. C

   Out of Scope5% picked this

   political phenomena often have religious and cultural causes as well as

   The passage says nothing about religious and cultural causes of political phenomena. The sociologists' objection is structural — they argue that a simple phenomenon cannot cause a complex one. They do not specify what the correct (complex) cause would be. They might believe the causes are cultural, religious, economic, social, or something else entirely — the passage provides no information about their preferred alternative explanation. This answer introduces a specific alternative causal theory that is nowhere mentioned or implied in the passage.

   5%
4. D

   Opposite5% picked this

   popular support for political parties is never a

   The sociologists' argument depends on popular support for political parties BEING a complex phenomenon. They argue: complex phenomena cannot be caused by simple phenomena; therefore, individual economic decisions (simple) cannot explain political party support (complex). If popular support were never a complex phenomenon, the sociologists' own principle would have no application to this case, and their objection would be meaningless. This answer claims the sociologists believe popular support is never complex — the exact opposite of what their argument requires. Their argument only works BECAUSE they consider it complex.

   5%
5. E

   Too Strong10% picked this

   the decisions of individual voters are not usually influenced by their beliefs about which policies will yield them

   The passage describes rational-choice theory as explaining support through decisions motivated by "greatest economic advantage." The sociologists oppose the theory's causal structure, not its claim about voter motivation. Nothing in the passage suggests the sociologists believe voters are not influenced by economic considerations. They simply believe that economically motivated individual decisions — even if they exist — are too simple a cause for a complex phenomenon like the rise of political organizations. The sociologists' complaint is about simplicity vs. complexity of causal mechanisms, not about whether economic beliefs actually influence voters.

   10%