LSAT 120 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q22

LR Question 22 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Repressors – people who unconsciously inhibit their display of…

QUESTION TYPE: Necessary Assumption

CONCLUSION: Inhibiting displays of emotion causes a sharp rise in heart rate.

REASONING: Those who consciously repress emotions experience a rise in heart rate, as do those who unconsciously repress emotions.

ANALYSIS: What if emotional situations cause a rise in heart rate, whether or not we express emotion? The argument must assume this does not occur.

___________

1. CORRECT. If the emotional situation itself is sufficient to provoke a higher heart rate, then this argument is worthless.
2. The argument still works even if nonrepressors are less effective at inhibiting their emotions.
3. Not necessary. They are excited because they are repressing their emotions. How excited isn’t crucial as long as their heart rate goes up.
4. This is tempting, but we don’t know how the experiment was conducted. It might not have involved researchers asking test subjects to repress emotions.
5. The stimulus talks about an increase in heart rate. Baseline heart rate does not matter.

Recap: The question begins with “Repressors – people who unconsciously inhibit their display of”. It is a Necessary Assumption question. Learn more about LSAT Necessary questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.