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mood swings

by delhiboy1979 » Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:48 am
15. In 1988, 50 people with emotional disturbances
underwent hypnosis to be cured of their mood
swings. A followup survey in 1993 revealed that
five had fairly stable emotional conditions at the
time of the survey. These five subjects can
therefore serve as models of the types of
people for whom hypnosis is likely to be
successful.
Which of the following, if true, casts the most
doubt on the suitability of those five subjects as
models in the sense described?
(A) The five subjects have very different
personalities and backgrounds.
(B) Since 1988, the five subjects have
experienced dramatic mood swings
interspersed with periods of relative
stability.
(C) Those people who were still suffering from
unstable emotional conditions at the time
of the 1993 survey had shown no
improvement since 1988.
(D) Many psychologists are less concerned
about a patient’s mood swings than about
the patient’s willingness to express his or
her problems and fears.
(E) The emotional condition of most of the 45
subjects who were still unstable at the
time of the 1993 survey had actually
worsened since 1988.
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by scoobydooby » Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:53 am
would go for B

to weaken conclusion: suitability of the 5 subjects to serve as models of success

A. irrelevant. even if the 5 had different personalities it doesnt prove that they cant serve as models of successful treatment

B. correct. if the 5 subjects experienced intermittent periods of instability, it shows they cant serve as models of successful treatment. they dont display consistent stability

C. irrelevant. doesnt talk of "those five subjects"

D. out of scope

E. irrelevant. it talks of the other 45 subjects no "those 5"
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Re: mood swings

by sg1928 » Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:56 am
delhiboy1979 wrote:15. In 1988, 50 people with emotional disturbances
underwent hypnosis to be cured of their mood
swings. A followup survey in 1993 revealed that
five had fairly stable emotional conditions at the
time of the survey. These five subjects can
therefore serve as models of the types of
people for whom hypnosis is likely to be
successful.
Which of the following, if true, casts the most
doubt on the suitability of those five subjects as
models in the sense described?
(A) The five subjects have very different
personalities and backgrounds.
(B) Since 1988, the five subjects have
experienced dramatic mood swings
interspersed with periods of relative
stability.
(C) Those people who were still suffering from
unstable emotional conditions at the time
of the 1993 survey had shown no
improvement since 1988.
(D) Many psychologists are less concerned
about a patient’s mood swings than about
the patient’s willingness to express his or
her problems and fears.
(E) The emotional condition of most of the 45
subjects who were still unstable at the
time of the 1993 survey had actually
worsened since 1988.
IMO B

B explores the possiblity that the subjects were relatively stable during the survey period. So, we can't come to the conclusion that the treatment has worked fine based only on the survey period.

a- out of scope (in fact it may strengthen due to choice of selection of subjects)

c- no mention about the five subjects in question.

d- out of scope

e- no mention about the five subjects in question.
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Re: mood swings

by sg1928 » Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:57 am
delhiboy1979 wrote:15. In 1988, 50 people with emotional disturbances
underwent hypnosis to be cured of their mood
swings. A followup survey in 1993 revealed that
five had fairly stable emotional conditions at the
time of the survey. These five subjects can
therefore serve as models of the types of
people for whom hypnosis is likely to be
successful.
Which of the following, if true, casts the most
doubt on the suitability of those five subjects as
models in the sense described?
(A) The five subjects have very different
personalities and backgrounds.
(B) Since 1988, the five subjects have
experienced dramatic mood swings
interspersed with periods of relative
stability.
(C) Those people who were still suffering from
unstable emotional conditions at the time
of the 1993 survey had shown no
improvement since 1988.
(D) Many psychologists are less concerned
about a patient’s mood swings than about
the patient’s willingness to express his or
her problems and fears.
(E) The emotional condition of most of the 45
subjects who were still unstable at the
time of the 1993 survey had actually
worsened since 1988.
IMO B

B explores the possiblity that the subjects were relatively stable during the survey period. So, we can't come to the conclusion that the treatment has worked fine based only on the survey period.

a- out of scope (in fact it may strengthen due to choice of selection of subjects)

c- no mention about the five subjects in question.

d- out of scope

e- no mention about the five subjects in question.
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by delhiboy1979 » Wed Mar 25, 2009 12:10 am
Good work folks, the OA is B. I infact chose E, now it makes sense as we need to be concerned about the 5 people and not the rest. Another example why it is important to read the question very carefully. Thanks
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by kris77 » Fri May 13, 2016 11:04 pm
I will Go with option B in this case.
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