Psychologist: A recent study showed that children who regularly participate in structured musical training programs tend to score higher on standardized math tests than children who do not. This suggests that musical training enhances mathematical ability.
- AMusical training and mathematical ability both rely on similar cognitive processes, such as pattern recognition.
- BThe standardized math tests used in the study are not a reliable measure of true mathematical ability.
- CThe study failed to account for the socioeconomic status of the children's families.
- DChildren who are already predisposed to excel in math are more likely to be enrolled in musical training programs.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Children who are already predisposed to excel in math are more likely to be enrolled in musical training programs.
The psychologist concludes a causal relationship (musical training enhances mathematical ability) based on a correlation. Option A provides an alternative explanation for the correlation: a common cause (predisposition for math) leads to both musical training and higher math scores, thus weakening the psychologist's causal claim.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This statement would strengthen the argument by providing a mechanism for how musical training could enhance mathematical ability, not weaken it.
- B. Questioning the reliability of the test would weaken the study's findings generally, but not specifically the causal link between musical training and math ability in the way an alternative cause would.
- C. While socioeconomic status could be a confounding variable, the argument doesn't provide enough information to definitively say this weakens the specific causal link claimed between musical training and math ability more than a direct alternative cause.
Weakening a Causal Argument
To weaken a causal argument, you typically introduce alternative explanations for the observed effect, show that the cause exists without the effect, or that the effect exists without the cause.
- Introduce an alternative cause for the effect.
- Show that the cause occurs without the effect.
- Show that the effect occurs without the cause.
- Demonstrate that the correlation is coincidental.
- Question the reliability of the data or methods.
Memory trick: Remember 'ACED': Alternative cause, Effect without cause, Cause without effect, third party Data problems.