Water’s theory

This topic has expert replies
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 758
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 9:32 pm
Location: Bangalore,India
Thanked: 67 times
Followed by:2 members

Water’s theory

by sumanr84 » Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:36 am
The influence of Mc Tell's work on Water's formulation psychosocial theory has long been recognised in the academic community. McTell was Water's mentor and main confidante during the 1950s, the time just before Waters published his revolutionary findings. There is ample evidence of communication during this time between the two regarding the core issues that would eventually coalesce in Water's theory. However, a recently discovered letter dated 1947 - years before Waters met McTell - indicates that Waters had already formulated the basic conceptions of his psychosocial theory. While McTell may certainly have helped Waters develop his theories, it may not be possible that McTell influenced the formulation of Water's scholarship in the manner originally believed.

The author of the argument above assumes that Waters

1. did not know of and read McTells work before he met him
2. did not model his theory on the work of some scholar other than McTell
3. did not have a mentor and confidante during the 1940s
4. did not tell McTell to influence any aspect of his psychosocial theory
5. did not benefit in any way from his association with McTell in the 1950s

[spoiler]Source : Kaplan Practice Material, OA after discussion[/spoiler]
I am on a break !!
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

User avatar
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 89
Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2009 5:06 am
Thanked: 14 times
Followed by:1 members
GMAT Score:770

by prepgmat09 » Wed Jul 07, 2010 3:36 am
Counter Premise: There are several communications between Mc Tell and Waters that establish the influence of Mc Tell on Waters' theory.

Premise: Waters had formulated basic concepts of his theory before he met Mc Tell

Conclusion: It may not be possible that contribution of Mc Tell to Waters' theory was as high earlier believed (in the counter premise).

1. This appears to be a correct answer. Negation of this answer choice reads as follows: "Waters knew of and read McTells work before he met him". This would exclude the possibility that Waters' formulation of basic concepts of his theory was not affected by Mc Tell's work. The conclusion would fall apart.

2. Out of scope. The conclusion is related to contribution of Mc Tell.

3. Out of scope. The conclusion is discussing Mc Tell as a mentor.

4. Argument is concerned with whether Mc Tell affected Waters theory or not. What Waters told / did not tell Mc Tell is out of scope.

5. Too extreme. Argument uses moderate tone. So, out.

IMO A.

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 379
Joined: Wed Apr 07, 2010 12:53 am
Location: Chennai,India
Thanked: 3 times

Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:15 am
Thanked: 1 times
Followed by:1 members

by dream700 » Thu Jul 08, 2010 3:12 am
it has to be 'A'..

The author assumes that Mc Tell influnced Water's work, only after meeting him. He considers that Water did not know of and read McTells work before he met him.

Regards,
Deutsch750

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 758
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 9:32 pm
Location: Bangalore,India
Thanked: 67 times
Followed by:2 members

by sumanr84 » Thu Jul 08, 2010 4:16 am
A is indeed the right answer..good work all..;-)
I am on a break !!