PrepTest 119, Section 3, Question 5
Psychologist: Because of a perceived social stigma against(62 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(10 more words not shown)
- ACertain psychotherapists practice(2 more words not shown)
- BElderly people are(10 more words not shown)
- CElderly people should(6 more words not shown)
- DCharacteristics associated with(7 more words not shown)
- EElderly people are(9 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Possible benefits don't make the stigma disappear.
The psychologist says some older people feel discouraged by social stigma and by age discrimination from some professionals. Those are understandable concerns about how they might be treated. The response is that younger people have benefited from psychotherapy and that older people bring strengths that can help it succeed.
That gives us a reason to consider the benefits, but does it answer the concerns? Someone could expect therapy to help and still worry about being judged or encountering discrimination. The psychologist hasn't shown that those obstacles disappear simply because a positive outcome is possible.
What we’re looking for
We're only asked for the main conclusion, though. What recommendation are those benefits meant to support? Older people should not feel discouraged about trying psychotherapy. We can identify that point while still questioning whether the reasons fully address the concerns that opened the passage.
Working the answers
- A
Some professionals practicing age discrimination is part of the explanation for the initial discouragement. The psychologist isn't building an argument to establish that discrimination occurs. It's a starting fact in the situation the recommendation responds to.
- B
Older people having certain helpful advantages doesn't establish that they benefit more overall than younger people. There could be other differences to consider. More importantly, the main point isn't a competition between age groups; it's that older people shouldn't be reluctant to try psychotherapy.
- CCorrect
This restates the recommendation that older people should not feel discouraged about trying psychotherapy. The discussion of younger people's benefits and older people's helpful qualities is offered to support that recommendation.
Notice that identifying a conclusion isn't the same as agreeing with it. Our questions about stigma and discrimination help us locate the claim those reasons are supposed to justify.
- D
The helpful qualities associated with maturity are part of the support. They give the psychologist a reason to expect a positive outcome for older people. The conclusion then goes further and uses that prospect to recommend that they not be discouraged. D stops at a reason for the recommendation.
- E
We know some older people are discouraged, but the passage doesn't compare how inclined the two age groups are to try psychotherapy. Younger people benefiting from it doesn't tell us how reluctant they were beforehand. And even if that comparison were true, it would describe attitudes rather than state the psychologist's recommendation about them.
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