#16 - A recent study carefully tracked the specific behaviors of

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation

The correct answer choice is (A).

Answer choice (A): This is the correct answer choice.

Answer choice (B):

Answer choice (C):

Answer choice (D):

Answer choice (E):

This explanation is still in progress. Please post any questions below!

[Delanoking1]

Is C wrong because environmental factors and different from cultural factors?

[Jeff Wren]

Hi Delanoking,

While it is true that environmental factors are not synonymous with cultural factors, Answer C would still be incorrect even if it had used "cultural challenges" rather than "environmental challenges."

The argument concludes that cultural factors rather than genetics likely determine certain behaviors based on the fact that one group of an East African chimpanzee subspecies actually behaved more similarly to the West African chimpanzee subspecies. The argument assumes that chimpanzees of different subspecies have more genetic differences than chimpanzees of the same subspecies. The argument also assumes that the group of the East African chimpanzee subspecies that behaved more similarly to the West African chimpanzee subspecies has a more similar culture to those West African chimpanzees than to the other West African subspecies, and that this similarity in culture explains the similarities in behavior.

To strengthen this argument, we'd actually want to show that the groups that behaved similarly had similar cultures.

Even if Answer C had used "cultural challenges" rather than "environmental challenges," it would actually weaken the argument because it would indicate that the East African subspecies (including the group that behaved similarly to the West African subspecies) actually have different cultures than the West Africans subspecies (since they are in different locations in Africa). If they have different cultures, then it wouldn't make sense that culture explains the similarities in their behaviors.

[jdavidwik]

I chose A, but I still cannot eliminate E. A, in comparison, almost seems like a distractor answer choice, as it refers to chimpanzees sometimes copying the behavior of other chimpanzees, whether or not they are closely related genetically. This doesn't seem to correspond to the term "cultural factors", but rather to a transient social behavior, even if learned from. The conclusion is that it is likely that these behaviors are determined by cultural factors rather than by genetics.

The fact that the term "cultural factors" is used points to E. Of the chimpanzee groups studied, the five East African groups live in closer proximity to each other than do the two West African groups, and the one East group was behaviorally more similar to the West groups than to the other East groups. Cultural behavior refers to socially learned traditions passed down, such as using different tools for foraging or performing social customs like the way they groom each other. These behaviors vary across different groups and are not determined by genetics or the environment alone, but rather by what individuals learn from their group.

It seems like LSAT makes the point about group proximity to show that the behavior is group-related re. cultural factors. They learn within their group, so even if their group is in close proximity to four other groups, their foraging and grooming, basic activities, might, by Coincidence, be more like those of two groups farther away, even if those two groups are themselves somewhat spread apart. All this seems to most support the argument. It seems "how do we support that these behaviors are determined by cultural factors" rather than by genetics. "A" points to how the behaviors are learned...but aren't they determined by cultural factors, which would point to groups, which would point to the study group that was focused on, which if situated as in E would give further support to cultural factors which are group-learned even if one such group differs from surrounding groups (which is sometimes the case in nature but is that bringing in too much outside info, even if they seem to include it in a classic LSAT style way, where you have to see the application). Genetic differences within a group could vary greatly re. specific allelic composition, so tacking the genetics note onto answer choice A then becomes an aside. I see E as affirming the assumption about groups and cultural factors being connected. A makes sense, but E seems to be head and shoulders above it, even if with a little dandruff, as the application/example is a bit strained, but haven't we seen such a thing in LR before?

[jdavidwik]

When I saw "cultural factors" in opposition to genetic factors re. chimpanzee behaviors, I paraphrased as "like social learning", learning in their social groups via passed-down behaviors, a general definition of culture. LSAT went ahead and described the rudiments of that process in choice A. Chimps sometimes copy the behavior of other chimpanzees, whether or not they are genetically closely related (in their groups). The copied behaviors can be reinforced in the group by others in the group who copy those behaviors. Over time, that behavior becomes part of the culture of that group. That's where I picked up the story, at the cultural factors part, which was part of the conclusion. It seemed to need connecting to "group".

I have been through this a few times, where LSAT seemed to say that what was part of a basic definition, in my understanding, was something that was only assumed and needed explicit stating. In this case, it seems more extreme, because they seem to jump a few steps back in what determines "cultural factors". I guess choice E might require an assumption itself, as to why it's significant, and that's why it's wrong, but it seems closer to strengthening the argument, with an application. The evidence established a similarity in groups' behaviors, and here's a setup where it's likely determined by cultural factors. I didn't think that I needed to define cultural factors, but to show evidence that pushed for cultural factors over genetics. If genetics determines all behaviors, then the five clustered groups would be similar, and the two groups to the West would be similar to each other. Distancing those two West groups from each other hints at cultural factors by coincidence developing similarly, perhaps as they pertain to foraging and grooming. I've seen this type of awkward application-type answer before. The correct answer - seems they tried to disguise it a little to not make it too easy, but then it is a part of the definition of something that was already stated, and not another way of saying that something, which is common in correct answer choices.

[jdavidwik]

The answer rules out the possibility that the behavior would only be copied (within the group) if the chimpanzees were closely related genetically. That behavioral-copying contribution to, or part of, the "cultural factors" has no genetic component. This answer rules out that possibility.

[Jeff Wren]

Hi jdavidwik,

Based on your posts, I think that you may be overthinking this question and trying to rationalize Answer E by making a few unwarranted assumptions. As a general rule, if you find that you have provide a lengthy, roundabout explanation for an answer choice, that is usually a sign that it isn't correct.

The argument concludes that these behaviors (specific ways of grooming, foraging, etc.) are likely caused by cultural factors rather than genetics. While the stimulus doesn't define cultural factors, they can be thought of as customs for the purposes of this question. Cultural factors would be considered a type of environmental factor. In the age old nature vs. nurture debate, cultural factors would fall under the nurture category. However, cultural factors are not synonymous with environmental factors, as there can be many environmental factors other than cultural.

Although this is a strengthen question, it can often be helpful to first think of ways of weakening the argument, since strengthening is simply the opposite of weakening. One easy way to weaken this argument would be to show that chimpanzees cannot learn behaviors from other chimpanzees unless there is a genetic cause (in other words, to show that all of their behaviors are caused by genetics rather than environmental causes). If chimpanzees couldn't learn from other chimpanzees at all without a genetic cause present, then they certainly couldn't learn behaviors based on cultural factors. Of course, doing the opposite of this, showing that chimpanzees can learn behaviors from other chimpanzees even without an underlying genetic cause would strengthen the argument.

This is basically what Answer A does. The fact that chimpanzees can copy behaviors from chimpanzees even if they are not closely related genetically provides evidence that they could learn behaviors from other chimpanzees regardless of genetic similarity. While it is true that the behaviors copied in Answer A are not necessarily cultural based behaviors, Answer A still strengthens the argument by providing a mechanism for how chimpanzees could learn behaviors other than because of genetics. In other words, if chimpanzees can learn behaviors from other chimpanzees (even if they are non-cultural), this supports the claim that they would likely also be able to learn behaviors from other chimpanzees that are cultural in a similar manner.

As for Answer E, without more information, this answer does not support the argument.

You wrote:

It seems like LSAT makes the point about group proximity to show that the behavior is group-related re. cultural factors.

Unfortunately, that is an unwarranted interpretation of this answer, so be careful making these kinds of logical leaps.

You also wrote:

Distancing those two West groups from each other hints at cultural factors by coincidence developing similarly, perhaps as they pertain to foraging and grooming.

Again, you seem to be trying to justify the cultural factors when it is just as likely (arguably more likely) that some other cause is responsible than the coincidence that you mention. (For example, perhaps there are environmental factors other than cultural factors that explain the differences/similarities in behaviors. Perhaps the two West groups and the one similar East group live near certain environmental features such as certain plants, water sources, etc. that account for the similarities in behavior.)

[jdavidwik]

Thanks Jeff.

I may have been vague in my third post. I meant Answer A there when I said "The answer", by which I meant "The (correct) answer". I had finally disabused myself of the other, roundabout reasoning. Sorry if I was unclear there. However, I appreciate your advice re. if I find myself inventing a long rationale, chances are I've taken a wrong path/incorrect answer path. I will go back to read that again now as you have given me some good guidance there I think.

[jdavidwik]

"In other words, if chimpanzees can learn behaviors from other chimpanzees (even if they are non-cultural), this supports the claim that they would likely also be able to learn behaviors from other chimpanzees that are cultural in a similar manner."
"Again, you seem to be trying to justify the cultural factors when it is just as likely (arguably more likely) that some other cause is responsible than the coincidence that you mention. (For example, perhaps there are environmental factors other than cultural factors that explain the differences/similarities in behaviors. Perhaps the two West groups and the one similar East group live near certain environmental features such as certain plants, water sources, etc. that account for the similarities in behavior.)"

Thanks for these key pointers. Re the first one above, that's what I came around to realizing. I think about Strengthen via the two general approaches of "affirming the unstated assumption of a pair of MMCs" or "ruling out an overlooked possibility that the author has missed in the argument." I got stuck in the former approach and was recalling some similar LSAT LR questions I've done in the past. Like you mentioned, with leaps of logic, I've seen them. Even the experts say okay...let's move on, but those questionable ones are like damaged goods which should be forgotten, so thanks for noting that. Finally, I saw it in light of "The answer rules out the possibility that the behavior would only be copied (within the group) if the chimpanzees were closely related genetically. That behavioral-copying contribution to, or part of, the "cultural factors" has no genetic component. This answer rules out that possibility", the possibility of a genetic component...as you said, even if they (the learned behaviors) are non-cultural.

Sorry about the spitballing stream. I was trying to somehow make that MMC approach fit. Then I saw the "ruling out" angle. Thanks for your second pointer. That refers back to me again trying to connect the "cultural factors" with "group". I appreciate PowerScore at one point making us wary of mechanistic approaches in LR. I think I fell into one and it did lead to some leaps of logic that I didn't like but tried to make fit. Like you said, it's a clue to being on an incorrect path. I guess my third post was brief because I finally realized that I went way off-piste and annoyed with myself. Thanks for your pointers!

[Jeff Wren]

Hi jdavidwik,

You're welcome, happy to help!

And thanks for the clarification about your third post. That post makes much more sense now.