LSAT-0110-1-13

13.   Journal: In several psychological studies, subjects were given statements to read that caused them to form new beliefs. Later, the subjects were told that the original statements were false. The studies report, however, that most subjects persevered in their newly acquired beliefs, even after being told that the original statements were false. This strongly suggests that humans continue to hold onto acquired beliefs even in the absence of any credible evidence to support them.

Which one of the following, if true, most undermines the journal’s argument?

(A) Regardless of the truth of what the subjects were later told, the beliefs based on the original statements were, for the most part, correct.

(B) It is unrealistic to expect people to keep track of the original basis of their beliefs, and to revise a belief when its original basis is undercut.

(C) The statements originally given to the subjects would be highly misleading even if true.

(D) Most of the subjects had acquired confirmation of their newly acquired beliefs by the time they were told that the original statements were false.

(E) Most of the subjects were initially skeptical of the statements originally given to them.

我选了A, 可是答案是D, 请问是为什么.

the conlusion is: people hold on to the beliefs even though there is no evidence to support the beliefs

Why  is A wrong? ----"the beliefs based on the original statements were, for the most part, correct." the stimulus is about beliefs and evidence (supporting beliefs). The truthfulness of the beliefs themselves is not the issue.

D undermines the reasoning by pointing out that those people did get confirmation, i.e. evidence for the beliefs, some time later though.