Cause & Effect Problem

[buzzdeepak]

People with high blood pressure are generally more nervous and anxious than people who do not have high blood pressure. This fact shows that this particular combination of personality traits - the so-called hypertensive personality - is likely to cause a person with these traits to develop high blood pressure.

The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the argument
A. fails to define the term "hypertensive personality"
B. presupposes that people have permanent personality traits
C. simply restates the claim that there is a "hypertensive personality" without providing evidence to support that claim
D. takes a correlation between personality traits and high blood pressure as proof that the traits cause high blood pressure
E. focuses on nervousness and anxiety only, ignoring other personality traits that people with high blood pressure might have

Answer: D

[spoiler] I could eliminate A, B, C but was stuck between D and E.
I felt D is valid but not as convincing / strong as E. There could be other traits that lead to high BP, not just these 2. [/spoiler]

Looking for an explanation. Please help.
Thanks

[charu_mahajan]

Hi,

In these type of questions, please look at the structure ->

People with high BP - > More nervous and anxious (This is a finding)
Person who is nervous or anxious -> will develop high BP

Can you see the 'causation' here. The author takes a finding/observation , reverses it to conclude something else.

About your choice E - People with high BP may develop n number of other traits or diseases. Assume High BP not only causes nervousness or anxiety, but also diabetes, cardiac arrest (just assume) etc. How does it matter? How does it affect the argument?

If we look at D, the author takes a correlation (Just because something happened) as a proof (that something will definitely happen).

I hope this helps.

[buzzdeepak]

It did....thanks