LSAT 137 – Section 3 – Question 13

LSAT 137 - Section 3 - Question 13

October 2012

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT137 S3 Q13
+LR
+Exp
Weaken +Weak
Sampling +Smpl
Link Assumption +LinkA
A
4%
160
B
5%
159
C
11%
158
D
76%
165
E
4%
161
133
147
161
 +Medium 146.416 +SubsectionMedium

Psychologist: Identical twins are virtually the same genetically. Moreover, according to some studies, identical twins separated at birth and brought up in vastly different environments show a strong tendency to report similar ethical beliefs, dress in the same way, and have similar careers. Thus, many of our inclinations must be genetic in origin, and not subject to environmental influences.

Summarize Argument: Phenomenon-Hypothesis

The psychologist hypothesizes that many of our inclinations are genetic and are not influenced by environment. He bases this on studies showing that identical twins separated at birth and raised in different environments often report similar ethical beliefs, dress, and careers.

Notable Assumptions

The psychologist assumes that genetics are the cause of the separated twins’ similar inclinations, without considering other factors or experiences that might influence them.

He also assumes that the studies of identical twins raised in different environments are representative of all identical twins, and that these findings can be generalized to support the idea that genetics are primarily responsible for many inclinations.

A
Many people, including identical twins, undergo radical changes in their lifestyles at some point in their lives.

(A) doesn’t suggest that one twin changes radically while the other remains the same. It could be that both twins undergo similar changes, which doesn’t weaken the psychologist’s conclusion that our traits are more influenced by genetics than environment.

B
While some studies of identical twins separated at birth reveal a high percentage of similar personality traits, they also show a few differences.

The psychologist concludes that many, not all, of our inclinations are genetic rather than environmental. The fact that some studies show a few differences in identical twins separated at birth does not weaken this conclusion.

C
Scientists are far from being able to link any specific genes to specific inclinations.

The fact that scientists can’t pinpoint exactly which genes cause certain traits doesn’t weaken the idea that those traits are genetically determined. Thus, (C) doesn’t weaken the psychologist’s conclusion.

D
Identical twins who grow up together tend to develop different beliefs, tastes, and careers in order to differentiate themselves from each other.

This weakens the psychologist’s conclusion by providing evidence that directly contradicts it. If identical twins raised together often have different beliefs, tastes, and careers, these inclinations can’t be solely genetic.

E
Twins who are not identical tend to develop different beliefs, tastes, and careers.

The psychologist is only drawing a conclusion about identical twins. So the inclinations of twins who are not identical are irrelevant and don’t weaken the psychologist’s argument.

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LSAT PrepTest 137 Explanations

Section 1 - Reading Comprehension

Section 2 - Logical Reasoning

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Logical Reasoning

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