"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.
For example the size of dataset, eighteen, can well be an outlier set. They may not represent the entire rhesus monkey population. Mere fifty another rhesus monkeys can be easily collected and study the same behaviors, which may produce very different results.
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.
The argument, relating birth order on an individuals stimulation level is both vague and rife with loopholes. There are several immature explanations trying to relate them. However, alternative explanations can be established because of the absence of strong and specific evidence.
For example the size of dataset, eighteen, can well be an outlier set. They may not represent the entire rhesus monkey population. Mere fifty another rhesus monkeys can be easily collected and study the same behaviors, which may produce very different results.
In the argument, it is not clear that those monkeys was gathered from one forest or from around the world. If another group of researchers takes a larger sample set, collected from different types of rhesus monkeys around the world, then their claim, whatever that might be, would have more validity than this group of researchers.
It is also stated in the argument that the firstborn produced more cortisol than others in a stimulating condition. However, it failed to specify that both groups were tested using the same stimulant or not. Exposing both groups to different stimulant may produce findings that would not be agreeing with that finding.
It is also stated in the argument that the firstborn produced more cortisol than others in a stimulating condition. However, it failed to specify that both groups were tested using the same stimulant or not. Exposing both groups to different stimulant may produce findings that would not be agreeing with that finding.
Another flaw in that comparing sentence is the measure of cortisol between the two groups. It's stated to be 'up to twice', not specifying how many firstborn produced more, how many produced less or how many produced equal. If there is a large portion of firstborns who produce less cortisol, then the findings may well fall apart.
Then there is the example of human firstborns, which is just dropped in abruptly. There is no reference of the study on human firstborns. What was the dataset, their relative age, what was considered to be a stimulating condition, is not specified, weakening the argument. If the stimulant was changed, for example, they were exposed to a frightful condition, their findings could vary.
The argument goes on to state that during pregnancy, first time mother monkeys produce higher level of cortisol. Pregnancy is a very complex stage, and there are numerous factors that could be taken into account while describing that individuals health condition. A healthier monkey, may produce more cortisol even if it already has offspring, than a first-time mother monkey with poor health condition. The argument did not specify these conditions.
If there is a relation between birth order and level of activities in rhesus monkeys, the statement fails to convincingly establish it. Due to so much inadequate specification and much vagueness, the argument lets itself to be refuted by alternative explanations. The researchers should consider the alternative explanations described above to make more sound arguments.
The argument goes on to state that during pregnancy, first time mother monkeys produce higher level of cortisol. Pregnancy is a very complex stage, and there are numerous factors that could be taken into account while describing that individuals health condition. A healthier monkey, may produce more cortisol even if it already has offspring, than a first-time mother monkey with poor health condition. The argument did not specify these conditions.
If there is a relation between birth order and level of activities in rhesus monkeys, the statement fails to convincingly establish it. Due to so much inadequate specification and much vagueness, the argument lets itself to be refuted by alternative explanations. The researchers should consider the alternative explanations described above to make more sound arguments.
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