LSAT 3 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q2

LR Question 2 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: For a television program about astrology, investigators…

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Reasoning

CONCLUSION: The investigation supports the claim that astrological birth signs influence one’s personality.

REASONING: 20 people born under the sign of Gemini agreed to take a personality test. They were more sociable and extroverted than people on average.

ANALYSIS: There are a couple of flaws here. The test could be flawed. The researchers personally thought the Geminis were more sociable than average. That may have influenced how they selected participants.

Another problem (and the correct answer) is that extroverted people are more likely to sign up to take a test.

___________

1. This would actually be a good thing since the investigators were personally biased about the test subjects’ personalities.
2. This isn’t a flaw. This supports their conclusion.
3. This would show that the investigators’ bias didn’t affect anything, strengthening the argument. It’s not a flaw.
4. This shows that the population from which the sample was drawn was representative. Far from being a flaw this strengthens the conclusion.
5. CORRECT. This shows that the volunteers were disproportionately likely to be sociable whether or not they were Geminis.

Recap: The question begins with “For a television program about astrology, investigators”. It is a Flawed Reasoning question. Learn more about LSAT Flaw questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.