LSAT Question Stem

The reasoning in Bardis's argument is flawed because that argument 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's break down Bardis's argument and identify its structure. Bardis starts with a premise that extensive research shows television advertisements affect the buying habits of consumers. Some people then conclude that violent television imagery sometimes causes violent behavior. Bardis counters this conclusion by stating that the effectiveness of television advertisements could be a result of the images being specifically designed to alter buying habits, whereas television violence is not designed to cause violent behavior. Based on this counterargument, Bardis concludes that violent television imagery does not cause violence.

The question type for this problem is a Flaw question, which asks us to identify the flaw in Bardis's reasoning.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be, "Does the intent behind a televised image determine its effect on viewers?"

Now, let's analyze each answer choice:

a) Bardis's argument does not infer that advertisements can change behavior to the claim that advertisements can cause violent behavior. Instead, Bardis argues that the intent behind the images in advertisements is different from the intent behind violent television imagery. This answer choice fails the Fact Test and can be eliminated.

b) This answer choice may seem tempting because it involves cause and effect, but it is incorrect. Bardis does not confuse a type of behavior with a type of stimulus. The argument clearly defines the cause (television imagery) and effect (behavior) without confusing the two.

c) Bardis's argument does not undermine its own position or question the persuasive power of television advertising. Instead, it assumes that the intent behind images determines their effect on viewers. This answer choice is incorrect.

d) This is the correct answer choice. Bardis's argument is flawed because it concludes that violent television imagery does not cause violence based on one purported fault in the argument that television violence is not designed to cause violent behavior. This single point does not justify the absolute conclusion that violent television imagery never causes violence.

e) Bardis's argument stays focused on the issue of whether television violence causes actual violence. There is no confusion or separate issue being addressed, so this answer choice is incorrect.