PrepTest 127

Incorrect. The argument relies on it being inappropriate to entertain while giving psychological help, as it results in that advice not being of high quality, but psychotherapists can entertain in other contexts. The stimulus doesn't want to stop one from trying her hand at stand-up comedy!

Incorrect. The stimulus does establish that the context does impact quality, but it doesn't compare that impact to other factors.

Incorrect. This answer is in the ballpark, but there are two issues with it that invalidate it in this Principle (Strengthen with Necessary Premise) question. First, the conclusion of the argument only applies to psychotherapists, not everyone, so this answer is too broad in focusing on psychotherapy. Second, the argument establishes that trying to entertain is "nearly always" incompatible with giving high quality advice, so this answer is too broad in stating that there's "any chance" the advice isn't of high quality.

Incorrect. The argument establishes that the expectation for psychotherapists on these shows is that they entertain, so where that expectation is coming from is out of scope.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Principle (Strengthen with Necessary Premise)

Stimulus Summary:
Radio therapists need to entertain, but that's in conflict with providing good advice, so psychotherapists should never have call-in talk shows.

Answer Anticipation:
As with most Principle questions, this answer choice establishes a scenario and then reaches a judgment. In this scenario, providing advice during a radio show results in sub-par advice. From that, the argument concludes that psychotherapists shouldn't give advice on talk shows. The principle that connects these ideas?:

If a situation would make advice from psychotherapists less than high-quality, then they shouldn't give advice in that situation.

Answer Explanation:
This answer sticks to the details in the stimulus and connects the outlined scenario to the conclusion. Radio/TV shows need to be entertaining, which means that the advice given in that context is likely ("nearly always incompatible") not to be of high quality. If psychotherapists should avoid giving advice in that case, the argument holds together.

Key Takeaway:
Principle questions—especially the more difficult questions, such as this one—almost always come down to the details. Trap answers frequently get the broad strokes correct but mess up some of those details. Be precise when you're answering these questions, and don't feel bad about deferring on an answer on your first pass and then diving in deeper when you're down to 2. Getting this question down to between (C) and (E) would be a great first step before comparing those two to see which one is closer to the stimulus.