PrepTest 122

Incorrect. This answer provides more of a correlation between violence/acceptance of violence and violent video games. The stronger the correlation, the stronger the argument for causality.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Bizarro Strengthen

Stimulus Summary:
Studies of kids playing video games showed that young kids tend to be more aggressive after playing, so video games cause aggressive behavior.

Answer Anticipation:
A Strengthen question with a study? We're almost certainly headed to a correlation/causation flaw here!

The stimulus does establish that violent video games and more aggressive behavior are correlated. From that, it jumps to the conclusion that such games cause violent behavior (well, it causes kids to think the behavior is acceptable, which causes them to engage in it—which chains together to give us the causal relationship). As such, we can look for the normal Strengthen answers for this flaw:
(1) Eliminate an alternative cause
(2) Find more examples of the cause and effect going together
(3) Find a "control"—a situation where the cause is missing and so is the effect

Since this is a Bizarro question and thus there will be 4 answers that strengthen the argument, we should also expect that some might address the sample. While there being no red flags on the sample would normally lead us to downplay this avenue for a right answer, Bizarro Strengthen questions tend to address multiple issues in the stimulus—even ones that aren't 100% telegraphed with clearly flawed logic. Anything that ensures the sample is representative or the study was well designed will serve to strengthen this argument.

Answer Explanation:
This answer provides counterexamples—those who don't have the supposed cause (violent video games) but do have the supposed effect (acceptance of violence). Counterexamples serve to weaken an argument, not strengthen it, so this is the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
Strengthen questions that feature a study will usually have a correlation/causation flaw in them, so always start your analysis there! Don't forget to also consider a sampling flaw.

Incorrect. This answer bridges the gap between bringing up a control group and eliminating an alternative cause. It shows an example of no cause/no effect (no violent video games/no violent behavior) and rules out video games generally (not just violent video games) as a potential cause of aggression.

Incorrect. This answer shows that the correlation persists in older children, as well, providing more examples of cause and effect going together, strengthening that relationship.

Incorrect. This answer connects the witnessed behavior to the conclusion—aggressive behavior to acceptance of aggression. It thus strengthens the argument.