LSAT 128 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q5

LR Question 5 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Those who participate in risky sports often do so to …

QUESTION TYPE: Weaken

CONCLUSION: Confronting fears increases self-confidence.

REASONING:

1. People often participate in risky sports to confront their fears
2. Those who participate in such risk-taking activities have more self-confidence than others

ANALYSIS: The argument establishes a correlation between participating in risky sports, confronting fears, and self-confidence. Based on this correlation, it concludes causation. But we know by now that correlation does not necessarily mean causation.

To weaken the argument, we need to show that self-confidence is not necessarily a result of confronting fears through risky sports. It may stem from another cause, such as preexisting self-confidence. Maybe people who engage in risky sports are more self-confident to begin with (before even starting). This would undermine the causal link that the argument tries to claim.

___________

1. This doesn’t weaken the argument because it doesn’t challenge the idea that confronting fears increases self-confidence. The argument assumes people knowingly confront their fears, but even if they don’t, this doesn’t refute the claim that confronting fears builds confidence. It could just be an unintended benefit.
2. CORRECT. This shows that self-confidence isn’t a result of confronting fears but instead a preexisting trait. If participants were already confident before engaging in risky activities, then their confidence can’t be attributed to confronting fears.
3. This is irrelevant. We’re concerned with the effects of engaging in risky sports on confidence, not why people avoid such sports.
4. The argument never claims risky sports are the only method of fear confrontation. So this doesn’t weaken the claim that confronting fears (through risky sports or otherwise) increases confidence.
5. The beliefs of non-participants do not necessarily affect whether those who participate gain self-confidence from confronting fears.