Critical Reasoning

Many studies have shown that users of anabolic steroids exhibit habitual aggression and commit violent crime at rates significantly higher than those seen in the general public; the studies have claimed the existence of a "steroid rage," or "'roid rage," caused by the anabolic steroids themselves. This claim is mistaken, though, since individuals who elect to use anabolic steroids tend to be innately more aggressive than the general public.

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument above?


Anabolic steroids produce significant increases in the levels of the hormones that are principally associated with aggressive behavior.


Users of anabolic steroids must regularly "cycle off" the steroids; during these off-cycle times, their levels of aggression tend to decrease significantly.

Individuals who choose to use anabolic steroids tend to have unusually high ambition and GMAT drives.

Among people with identical histories of aggression, users of anabolic steroids do not exhibit significantly greater aggression than do non-users.


Among individuals convicted of violent offenses while on anabolic steroids, most are not convicted again, even if they continue to use anabolic steroids.

IMO D

Conc - steroids do not cause aggression rather the ppl themselves are aggressive

D rightly strengthens the argument by saying that steroids don't cause aggression.

Yup, I agree with the last poster.

I was down to Option C and D.

It cannot be C because we cannot infer that " high ambition and GMAT drives" cause aggression and make people commit crime. Eliminate.

OPTION D is the correct answer.

IMO D

gmatblood wrote:Many studies have shown that users of anabolic steroids exhibit habitual aggression and commit violent crime at rates significantly higher than those seen in the general public; the studies have claimed the existence of a "steroid rage," or "'roid rage," caused by the anabolic steroids themselves. This claim is mistaken, though, since individuals who elect to use anabolic steroids tend to be innately more aggressive than the general public.

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument above?


Anabolic steroids produce significant increases in the levels of the hormones that are principally associated with aggressive behavior.


Users of anabolic steroids must regularly "cycle off" the steroids; during these off-cycle times, their levels of aggression tend to decrease significantly.

Individuals who choose to use anabolic steroids tend to have unusually high ambition and GMAT drives.

Among people with identical histories of aggression, users of anabolic steroids do not exhibit significantly greater aggression than do non-users.


Among individuals convicted of violent offenses while on anabolic steroids, most are not convicted again, even if they continue to use anabolic steroids.

D it is!!

+1 for D