Q10 - Lydia: Red squirrels are known

[leejihyungrace]

Can someone explain to me what it mean to dismiss potentially disconfirming data? As it says in Answer Choice A.

I was able to narrow down the answer choices to A and E. However, I couldn't exactly decide between the two because I understood A and E to be essentially the same.

[hyewonkim89]

Hi leejihyungrace,

When I did this problem, I eliminated (A) immediately because Lydia doesn't show any data.

Also, I think you meant to post this question under Section 4!

[christine.defenbaugh]

Good question leejihyungrace! Analyze the argument questions often use abstract or more generic language to describe arguments, and untangling how each relates to the argument is critical.

Let's breakdown the stimulus first.

squirrels work hard to get sap
sap = sugar + water ======> not after the water ====> must be after the sugar
water = easy to get

Lydia rejects one possible explanation (that they are after the water) for an observed phenomenon (that they work hard to get to the sap), in order to arrive at her conclusion. (E) matches this precisely.


The Incorrect Answers
(A)"Disconfirming data" means essentially some fact or piece of evidence (data) that would disconfirm, or prove false, her conclusion. So, if Lydia had said that scientists believe squirrels can't metabolize sugar, and therefore get no benefit from it, but then she waved that piece of evidence off (dismissed it), she would be dismissing disconfirming data.

Be careful about concluding that she cites no data at all though. She cites a number of facts (data), she just doesn't cite (or dismiss) any disconfirming data.

(B) No general rule is stated in the premises. The conclusion is a likely explanation, not an instance of something.

(C) Only one behavior is discussed: the fact that squirrels work hard to get sap!

(D) Only one phenomenon is discussed: the fact that squirrels work hard to get sap! No "well understood phenomena" are cited.


Please let me know if that answers your question completely!

[asafezrati]

Can anyone give examples of the methods in answer choices C and D?

Thanks.

[erikwoodward10]

I don't understand why E is correct. It states that she is rejecting a possible alternative explanation (that they want water... ok, good so far) for an observed phenomenon (which is what?).

IF we assume that the observed phenomenon is that they want sugar, than this makes sense. But that seems to be a stretch to me, the only observation is that they chew holes in the bark. We don't know why, that is the entire point of the stimulus. And I don't feel comfortable making the above assumption in order to choose E. Any insight? Thanks!