PrepTest 102, Section 4, Question 24
Sociologist: Research shows, contrary to popular opinion, that,(39 more words not shown)
Which one of the following,(8 more words not shown)
- ASome people who(10 more words not shown)
- BMost people who(9 more words not shown)
- CMost people who(5 more words not shown)
- DMost people who(8 more words not shown)
- EAll people who(8 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Other things being equal, most people with pets are less happy than most people without pets? I'll accept the reported comparison, even though someone who loves their own pets might find it surprising.
Notice what “most” leaves open. Some pet owners could be extremely happy while others are much less happy. A general pattern doesn't tell us where every person falls. That makes me hesitate before turning it into advice for any person who wants to maximize happiness.
People also differ in what they enjoy. Suppose people generally rate city life highly, but one person loves living in a small town. The general comparison doesn't automatically tell that person which choice will suit them. The same concern arises when we move from groups of pet owners and nonowners to a recommendation for an individual.
What we’re looking for
The weakener should give us a reason to doubt the advice about not having a pet. My initial focus is on the gap between the general comparison and what is best for a particular person. Keep the goal precise too: the author is discussing being as happy as possible.
Working the answers
- A
This fits our initial concern about exceptions: some pet owners are happier than most nonowners. But it doesn't establish what the pets contribute to those owners' happiness. A very happy pet owner might still be happier without the pet. A gives us people who rank high in the comparison without directly showing that avoiding pet ownership would work against their own happiness.
- B
Wishing for a pet doesn't establish that having one would improve happiness. Someone might briefly want a dog and then remember that the daily responsibility wouldn't suit them. B describes a desire, not the effect of fulfilling it.
- C
Reasonably happy isn't the same as as happy as possible. Pet owners could be fairly content and still be happier under a different arrangement. C doesn't show that the advice conflicts with the stated goal of maximizing happiness.
- DCorrect
The pets themselves make most owners happier. That takes a more direct route than the exceptions I first considered: it tells us what pet ownership contributes, not just where owners rank compared with nonowners.
Imagine an owner rates their happiness at six with a pet but would rate it at four without one. Someone without a pet might rate their own happiness at eight. The owner ranks below that nonowner yet would lose happiness by giving up the pet. These numbers illustrate the two different comparisons. D says the positive contribution is real for most owners, undermining the move from lower reported happiness across groups to advice that avoiding pets helps a person maximize happiness.
- E
Feeling unhappy sometimes doesn't show which arrangement would make a person happier overall. A nonowner could have occasional bad moments and still be happier than they would be with a pet. E doesn't establish an advantage of ownership or a problem with the recommendation.
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