In a study, participants explored a deserted amusement park. Half of the participants were informed that the park was haunted, while the other half were told it was closed for maintenance. The first group reported significantly more eerie sensations than the second group. The researchers concluded that the reports of ghostly encounters were primarily influenced by the participants' expectations.

Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the researchers’ conclusion?

Answer Choices

Correct answer marked below

A. None of the participants in the second group thought that the eerie sensations they reported were ghostly.

B. All of the participants in the first group believed that the researchers’ claim about the park being haunted was false.

C. Prior to being informed about the park, the participants in each group had widely differing beliefs about ghostly encounters.

D. Each eerie sensation reported by the participants had a rational explanation that did not involve ghosts.

Correct

E. The researchers themselves did not believe that the park was haunted.

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Explanation

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Official Explanation

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To weaken the researchers' conclusion that reports of ghostly encounters are primarily influenced by expectations, we need evidence that suggests the experiences reported were not due to those expectations. Option D states that each eerie sensation reported by the participants had a…

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Comments

JoelFeb 7, 2025

Greatt

shobithSep 1, 2024

thank you for sharing

MaureenDec 9, 2024

good question

What this question tests

What it tests

Whether you can identify the option that most undermines an argument's conclusion.

Common trap

Choosing an irrelevant objection or one that attacks the premise rather than the reasoning.