LSAT 147 | Section 1 | Logical Reasoning: Q6

LR Question 6 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Some have argued that body size influences mating…

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Reasoning

CONCLUSION: Body size influences mating in all societies.

REASONING: Surveys shows that body size influences mating among those of university age and in newspaper advertisements.

ANALYSIS: The reasoning gave evidence from one group, and switches to making a conclusion about all groups. It’s like saying “Americans like tacos, so every society likes tacos.”

To make a conclusion about mating in all societies, we’d need broader evidence.

___________

1. This is a different flaw.
    
   Example of flaw: It is raining, and it is windy. So clearly, the rain is causing the wind.
   [Argument made during a hurricane]
2. CORRECT. Indeed. Surveys of college aged student tells us little about mating between older adults, or amongst herding societies, or amongst diverse cultures.
3. This is a different flaw.
    
   Example of flaw: John has listed three reasons why he made his decision. He liked the car, it was cheap, and the car has good reviews. So, clearly, John only bought the car because he liked it. I can’t see any other reason for why he bought it.
4. This is a whole to part flaw. That’s a different situation.
    
   Example of flaw: In this society, people mate frequently. So clearly, this chaste monk from that society must mate frequently.
5. This is a tempting answer. But, the argument didn’t say how many university age students were surveyed. It could be hundreds of thousands.
    
   For an answer like this to be right, you actually have to be able to give the number of people in the sample.
    
   Example of flaw: Americans speak loudly all the time. I can say this is true because I met one American, and she spoke loudly.