Logical reasoning PrepTest 134 · Section 1 · Question 11

Incorrect. Their expectations don't necessarily factor into their promotion decisions. Since this answer doesn't address the topic of the argument, it doesn't guarantee the conclusion.

Incorrect. There's no indication that those making the decisions on promotions follow the official guidelines.

Incorrect. The flattery noted in the stimulus is "so blatant" that everyone notices it, so this answer doesn't apply to "almost all" flattery discussed.

Incorrect. Even if all of the bosses making promotion decisions misinterpreted the flattery as sincere, that still doesn't guarantee that noticing it wouldn't impact promotion decisions. In fact, if anything, this answer suggests that the flattery might be a factor in the promotions.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen with Sufficient Premise

Stimulus Summary:
Common belief - Suck-ups get promotions
Psychologist - Suck-ups do get promoted, but their sucking up is so obvious even the boss sees it
Conclusion - Their sucking up isn't why they're promoted

Answer Anticipation:
It's important to keep the argument structure here straight—there's a common belief that the Psychologist is arguing against. There isn't an author present, and we're tasked with finding a sufficient assumption for the Psychologist's argument.

As such, the relevant argument starts when the Psychologist is introduced. She concedes that the phenomenon noted (suck-ups getting promotions) does happen, but the explanation—the flattery gets them the promotion—isn't the true explanation. Why is that? Because the flattery is so obvious that even the boss who is being sucked up to notices it.

But that doesn't guarantee that it's not the reason for the promotion! The argument is assuming that obvious flattery won't result in a promotion, when it could be the case that the bosses know they're being flattered, but they give that person the promotion for that reason anyway. The correct answer will therefore need to establish that someone who knows they're being flattered won't give the flatterer a promotion.

Answer Explanation:
This answer connects the Psychologist's premise and conclusion. If noticed flattery doesn't influence supervisors, and almost all flattery is noticed, then the flattery couldn't influence promotion decisions.

Key Takeaway:
Be sure to keep the sides of the argument straight. Here, noting the opposing point and the Psychologist's arguments, as well as the lack of the author's opinion, was important to knowing what viewpoint's conclusion you were trying to justify based on what premise.