Hi everybody!
Please judge my essay (Analyze an argument)
Promt
"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.
In this argument, the author shows us the results of the study of eighteen rhesus monkeys in stimulating situations which lead to high levels of cortisol secretions. Also, he/she provides us with a particular situation, in which firstborn humans produces high levels of this hormone. Additionaly, the author gives us supplemental information about femaly monkeys during their first pregnancies. Although the author gives us the results of the study and other supporting information, there is some alternative information that could rival the proposed explanation.
First, we should turn our attention to the small sample size of the research. Eighteen rhesus monkeys are insufficient for making a solid conclusion. There are must be more samples. Also, diversity of samples is no less important than quantity.
As we know, cortisol is a stress hormone, and it is secreted in order to preserve innate resources of an individual. High levels of the cortisol also appear in the first half of the day, then it falls to lower levels. Stimulation situations must be similar for both humans and monkeys. These can be either an encounter with an unfamiliar monkey/baby or the return of a parent after an absence and experimentation must occur at the same time.
In the conclsuion, the author doesn't provide us with suffiecient information about that research. Furhermore, I see no link between cortisol level of mother monkeys and their babies within the argument. And I see no logic in comaring simulating situations between humans and monkeys. Without proper information we can not reach to a conclusion.
Sorry for the poor vocabulary and for the grammar. English is not my native language. But I want to pass the GRE anyway:afro:
Thank you very much for your time! I really appreciate it!
My skype "Kalidaulet"