LSAT Explanation PT 39, S2, Q21: Cognitive psychologist: The majority of skilled

LSAT Question Stem

The cognitive psychologist's conclusion follows logically if which one of the following is assumed? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Sufficient Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This LSAT problem is a Sufficient Assumption question. We are asked to identify the assumption that would make the cognitive psychologist's conclusion follow logically. Let's break down the passage and analyze the answer choices.

Here's the information given in the passage:

1. Skilled Artists (SA) --(most)--> Creative People (CP)

2. Creative People (CP) --> Abstract Reasoning (AR)

3. Skilled Artists (SA) --(some)--> NOT Famous (NF)

The conclusion we want to reach is: Abstract Reasoning (AR) --(some)--> Famous (F)

Now, let's examine the answer choices:

a) Most skilled artists are good at abstract reasoning.

This choice would give us: Skilled Artists (SA) --(most)--> Abstract Reasoning (AR). However, we already know that Creative People (CP) --> Abstract Reasoning (AR), so this doesn't help us reach the desired conclusion.

b) Most people who are very creative are skilled artists.

This choice would give us: Creative People (CP) --(most)--> Skilled Artists (SA). If we combine this with the information given in the passage, we can infer that there's at least one Famous Creative Person (FCP). With this assumption, we can reach the conclusion: Abstract Reasoning (AR) --(some)--> Famous (F).

c) Some skilled artists are not famous.

This choice is a "premise-booster" and doesn't help us reach the conclusion, as we already know this from the passage.

d) All people who are good at abstract reasoning are very creative.

This choice would give us: Abstract Reasoning (AR) --> Creative People (CP). However, this doesn't help us reach the conclusion because we still don't have a connection between Abstract Reasoning (AR) and Famous (F).

e) Most skilled artists are famous.

This choice would give us: Skilled Artists (SA) --(most)--> Famous (F). Using the "most + most = some" rule, we can infer that there's at least one Famous Creative Person (FCP). With this assumption, we can reach the conclusion: Abstract Reasoning (AR) --(some)--> Famous (F).

Therefore, the correct answer is choice (b) "Most people who are very creative are skilled artists." This assumption helps us reach the conclusion that some people who are good at abstract reasoning are famous.