Flawed ReasoningDiff: Hard
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: People sign a paper saying they know they might get a fake pill, so experts must be wrong when they say patients get upset when they actually get the fake pill.
Conclusion: The claim that many medical test subjects feel resentment about receiving placebos or ineffective treatments is likely incorrect.
Reasoning: Consent forms signed before the trials indicate that nearly all participants are willing to accept the risk of receiving an ineffective substance.
Analysis: This argument suffers from a disconnect between initial consent and subsequent emotional reaction. Just because someone acknowledges a risk exists doesn't mean they won't be frustrated or resentful when that risk becomes their reality. You might agree to the risk of rain when booking an outdoor wedding, but you'll likely still be upset if it actually pours. Look for an answer that points out that accepting a possibility is not the same as being satisfied with the outcome.
Conclusion: The claim that many medical test subjects feel resentment about receiving placebos or ineffective treatments is likely incorrect.
Reasoning: Consent forms signed before the trials indicate that nearly all participants are willing to accept the risk of receiving an ineffective substance.
Analysis: This argument suffers from a disconnect between initial consent and subsequent emotional reaction. Just because someone acknowledges a risk exists doesn't mean they won't be frustrated or resentful when that risk becomes their reality. You might agree to the risk of rain when booking an outdoor wedding, but you'll likely still be upset if it actually pours. Look for an answer that points out that accepting a possibility is not the same as being satisfied with the outcome.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage25.The reasoning in the columnist's argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the argument
Correct Answer
D
D is correct because the columnist’s conclusion relies on the assumption that subjects who accept the risk beforehand will not resent it if it actually happens. That takes for granted that attitudes do not change from pre-trial consent to post-outcome reaction, which is exactly the missing link in the argument.
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