In a study, participants were asked to explore a supposedly cursed forest. Half of the participants were informed that the forest was cursed, while the other half were told it was a nature reserve. The first group reported significantly more eerie sensations than the second group. The researchers concluded that reports of eerie sensations are primarily influenced by prior beliefs about the environment.

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 sensations they reported were eerie.

B. All participants in the first group believed that the researchers’ claim about the forest being cursed was exaggerated.

C. Prior to the study, participants in both groups had widely differing beliefs about eerie sensations.

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

Correct

E. The researchers themselves did not believe that the forest was cursed.

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Explanation

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Official Explanation

Official

To weaken the researchers' conclusion that reports of eerie sensations are influenced by prior beliefs, we need evidence that suggests the sensations could be explained by factors other than those beliefs. Option D states that each eerie sensation reported had a rational explanation that…

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Comments

puchalapalliApr 17, 2025

Thank for sharing!!!

PrabalFeb 14, 2025

good question

TantioApr 1, 2024

Can someone explain it other way?

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.