The following appeared as part of a letter to the editor of a scientific journal.
"A recent study of eighteen rhesus monkeys provides clues as to the effects of birth order on an individual's levels of stimulation. The study showed that in stimulating situations (such as an encounter with an unfamiliar monkey), firstborn infant monkeys produce up to twice as much of the hormone cortisol, which primes the body for increased activity levels, as do their younger siblings. Firstborn humans also produce relatively high levels of cortisol in stimulating situations (such as the return of a parent after an absence). The study also found that during pregnancy, first-time mother monkeys had higher levels of cortisol than did those who had had several offspring."
"A recent study of eighteen rhesus monkeys provides clues as to the effects of birth order on an individual's levels of stimulation. The study showed that in stimulating situations (such as an encounter with an unfamiliar monkey), firstborn infant monkeys produce up to twice as much of the hormone cortisol, which primes the body for increased activity levels, as do their younger siblings. Firstborn humans also produce relatively high levels of cortisol in stimulating situations (such as the return of a parent after an absence). The study also found that during pregnancy, first-time mother monkeys had higher levels of cortisol than did those who had had several offspring."
Write a response in which you discuss one or more
alternative explanations that could rival the proposed explanation and
explain how your explanation(s) can plausibly account for the facts
presented in the argument.
Response :
In this argument, author's claim that the birth order of rhesus monkeys affects the simulation level by the reference of study on 18 monkeys sample. The argument has logical flaws and possesses weak premises which will undermine the ultimate conclusion.
First of all, the sample size of 18 monkeys is too small to establish any concrete fact about a species of monkeys. The sample size should be big enough to reflect the properties of whole species. It might be possible that the particular group of rhesus monkeys were showing signs of aberration from normal properties of rhesus monkeys.
Environment factors like natural habitat of the monkeys also affect the monkeys' metabolism which could result into extraordinary hormones production. The author claims the argument on the basis cortisol hormone, but there are many hormones present in an organism which affects the simulation. No data about other hormones causing simulation is presented in the argument.
The author fails to present any fact which will strengthen the relation between monkeys and humans, so that, a link can be establish and an inference made about monkeys can be also said about humans and vice versa.
Author states that during pregnancy, the first-time mother monkeys had higher levels of cortisol than did those who had had several offsprings but author does not mentions why the higher level of cortisol in mother will lead to higher level of cortisol in the first born.
The cause of simulation in the cases of monkeys and humans are very different. In case of rhesus monkeys, the simulation was caused by encountering an unfamiliar monkey, whereas, in case of humans the simulation was caused by seeing someone familiar after a long time. The contrast between the causes of simulation affects the credibility of author's claim.
Considering these plausible explanation, the author's argument lacks concrete facts to back up the final conclusion, there are many alternative explanations which could have caused the extraordinary levels of coritsol hormone in the first born.
First of all, the sample size of 18 monkeys is too small to establish any concrete fact about a species of monkeys. The sample size should be big enough to reflect the properties of whole species. It might be possible that the particular group of rhesus monkeys were showing signs of aberration from normal properties of rhesus monkeys.
Environment factors like natural habitat of the monkeys also affect the monkeys' metabolism which could result into extraordinary hormones production. The author claims the argument on the basis cortisol hormone, but there are many hormones present in an organism which affects the simulation. No data about other hormones causing simulation is presented in the argument.
The author fails to present any fact which will strengthen the relation between monkeys and humans, so that, a link can be establish and an inference made about monkeys can be also said about humans and vice versa.
Author states that during pregnancy, the first-time mother monkeys had higher levels of cortisol than did those who had had several offsprings but author does not mentions why the higher level of cortisol in mother will lead to higher level of cortisol in the first born.
The cause of simulation in the cases of monkeys and humans are very different. In case of rhesus monkeys, the simulation was caused by encountering an unfamiliar monkey, whereas, in case of humans the simulation was caused by seeing someone familiar after a long time. The contrast between the causes of simulation affects the credibility of author's claim.
Considering these plausible explanation, the author's argument lacks concrete facts to back up the final conclusion, there are many alternative explanations which could have caused the extraordinary levels of coritsol hormone in the first born.
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