Q20

[asafezrati]

Hey,

It seems that the main issue here is "cohesive is good, but has problems, especially groupthink". But i was wondering that maybe the whole idea (purpose?) of the passage is to support the research mentioned in the last lines of p3.

Help?

[rinagoldfield]

Hi Asafezrati,

You are totally right that the main point is "cohesive is good, but has problems, especially groupthink".

The main point of LSAT passages usually encompasses some kind of contrast or disagreement. This contrast or disagreement is the “scale” of the passage. Here, the author contrasts positive and negative aspects of group cohesiveness. On the one hand, cohesiveness facilitates dissent and probing decision-making. On the other hand, cohesiveness can lead to groupthink.

The research described in the 3rd paragraph supports this contrast. It is a cherry topping, not the main point.

(A) Gets at both sides of the contrast. This is the correct answer.

(B) Is unsupported. The author implies that research is needed to identify what in addition to cohesiveness leads to groupthink. She does not argue that spotting cohesiveness is sufficient to guarding against groupthink.

(C) Is too narrow in scope. It fails to address the positive aspects of cohesiveness and as a result does not encompass the fullness of the scale.

(D) Is unsupported. The author never posits that low cohesion is desirable.

(E) Is too extreme. The author expresses interest in this research, but does not argue that efforts to guard against groupthink depend on these results.

Hope this helps.

[andrewgong01]

I am still not sure about why "A" can be the main point though. I thought the passage made it clear that it was not cohesion that caused ("can lead to" in Answer Choice A) groupthink since on line 54 it said it is not sufficient. Hence, I reasoned this mean it was not a cause since having group cohesion does not lead to groupthink as it is only true that if you have groupthink then do you have group cohesion