PrepTest 148, Section 2, Question 20
There are some basic conceptual problems hovering about(451 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(9 more words not shown)
- AIn spite of(18 more words not shown)
- BThe use of(17 more words not shown)
- CContrary to what(22 more words not shown)
- DAlthough the fMRI(22 more words not shown)
- EThe modular theory(20 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
We predicted two connected problems with treating brain scans as pictures of mental activity. The interpretation assumes that distinct mental processes occupy distinct brain regions. The subtractive method then produces images that seem to support that assumption while hiding activity distributed across the brain.
What we’re looking for
Look for that combination. The author accepts the value of scans for medical diagnosis; this is a criticism of their psychological interpretation.
Working the answers
- A
Growth in the use of scans is not the argument being developed. The opening mentions widespread use, but the author’s purpose is to question its conceptual and methodological basis, not explain a rapid increase.
- BCorrect
The questionable premise is the modular theory of mind. The misleading approach is subtracting baseline activity and interpreting the remaining differences as neatly localized mental functions. This captures both halves of the criticism.
- C
The emotion-and-reason example supports the challenge to modular thinking. It does not include the broader argument about how scans are produced and interpreted.
- D
The author does not simply say that measuring metabolic activity yields false results. The problem is how a difference image can mislead us about mental functions. This also leaves out the questionable premise underlying the psychological use.
- E
The final paragraph suggests that the images help make the theory attractive. That is one consequence of the misleading display, not the whole point of the critique.
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