LSAT (Law School Admission Test)Reading ComprehensionMedium
Passage: "The 'Pygmalion effect,' also known as the self-fulfilling prophecy, describes a phenomenon where higher expectations lead to an increase in performance. Studies have shown that when teachers expect more from certain students, those students tend to perform better, even if their initial abilities were similar to others. This effect is not limited to education; it can be observed in workplaces, athletic teams, and even medical settings. The mechanism behind it involves subtle cues from the 'expecter' (e.g., more challenging tasks, more feedback, warmer social-emotional climate) that influence the 'expectee's' self-belief and motivation, ultimately affecting their actions and outcomes. Conversely, the 'Golem effect' describes the negative impact of low expectations." Which of the following is an unstated assumption underlying the author's discussion of the Pygmalion effect?
- AIndividuals are responsive to the expectations of others.
- BExpectations are the sole determinant of an individual's performance.
- CThe effect is equally strong across all cultural contexts.
- DThe Golem effect is more prevalent than the Pygmalion effect.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Individuals are responsive to the expectations of others.
For the Pygmalion effect to work as described, the 'expectee' (the person being expected of) must be capable of perceiving and responding to the subtle cues and increased expectations from the 'expecter.' If individuals were not responsive, the mechanism described would not lead to increased performance.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. The passage implies expectations are a significant factor, but doesn't claim they are the 'sole determinant.' Performance is complex and likely involves many factors.
- C. The passage does not discuss cultural contexts, so assuming equal strength is not an unstated assumption, but rather an unaddressed variable.
- D. The passage only briefly mentions the Golem effect as a converse, not making any claims about its prevalence relative to the Pygmalion effect.
Unstated Assumption
An unstated assumption is a premise or belief that must be true for the author's argument or statement to hold logically, but which is not explicitly stated in the text.
- Essential for the argument's validity.
- Not explicitly mentioned in the passage.
- If false, the argument would weaken or collapse.
Memory trick: Assumptions are the 'Hidden Foundation' of an argument.