LSAT 19, Logical Reasoning II, Q20, LSATHacks

LR Question 20 Explanation, by LSATHacks

QUESTION TEXT: There is strong evidence that the cause of migraines…

QUESTION TYPE: Paradox

PARADOX: The cause of migraines is physical yet people with psychological anxiety are more likely to get migraines.

ANALYSIS: It’s well known that stress can lead to both health problems (e.g. migraines) and psychological anxiety.

The correct answer gives a different explanation. People with anxiety are more likely to seek treatment. So they skew the statistics. Many people without anxiety just stay at home, and don’t get reported as having migraines.

___________

1. This doesn’t tell us why people with migraines tend to be psychologically anxious.
2. This doesn’t tell us what causes migraines. It only shows a correlation between emotional stress and migraines.
3. CORRECT. People with anxiety skew the statistics. They are more likely to seek treatment, and so their cases of migraines are over-reported. This falsely makes it look like people with anxiety are more likely to get migraines.
4. This tells us that the press likes the idea that migraines have a psychological cause, and they publicize those studies. But this doesn’t tell us what actually does cause migraines.
5. This just tells us a fact about migraine treatment. It doesn’t change anything, or tell us about causes.

Recap: The question begins with “There is strong evidence that the cause of migraines”. It is a Paradox question. Learn more about LSAT Paradox questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.

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