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Health Columnist: A recent study of 10,000 adults found that those who consistently read books before bed are 40% less likely to suffer from chronic insomnia compared to those who watch television before bed. Therefore, individuals who currently watch television before bed can significantly reduce their risk of developing chronic insomnia simply by replacing their evening television viewing with reading.

Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

  1. A
    The artificial blue light emitted by television screens has been clinically proven to suppress the production of hormones necessary for normal sleep cycles.
  2. B
    Because reading is a less popular evening activity overall, the study included a far greater number of television watchers than book readers.
  3. C
    Individuals who suffer from severe chronic insomnia often require specialized medical interventions and prescription medications to achieve restful sleep.
  4. People who are already experiencing the early stages of insomnia typically find that they lack the concentration needed to read a book and instead default to watching television.Answer
  5. E
    Follow-up analysis of the study revealed that the participants who read books actually suffered from chronic insomnia at the exact same rate as the television watchers.

Answer

People who are already experiencing the early stages of insomnia typically find that they lack the concentration needed to read a book and instead default to watching television.
The argument observes a correlation between television watching and insomnia, and concludes that television watching causes insomnia. The correct answer weakens this causal claim by providing a reverse-causality explanation: the onset of insomnia actually causes people to watch television because they lose the concentration required to read. If the insomnia is what causes the activity choice, then forcing a change in the activity will not prevent the insomnia.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the conclusion of the argument.
The conclusion is that replacing evening television viewing with reading will significantly reduce a person's risk of developing chronic insomnia.
Understanding the exact claim being made is essential for finding what undermines it.
2
Identify the premises supporting the conclusion.
The premise is a study showing that people who read before bed are 40% less likely to suffer from chronic insomnia than those who watch television.
This establishes the evidence the author uses, revealing a correlation between evening activities and insomnia rates.
3
Analyze the logical gap between the premises and the conclusion.
The author assumes that because television viewing and insomnia are correlated, the television viewing must be causing the insomnia.
Identifying the assumption (causation from correlation) exposes the argument's vulnerability.
4
Evaluate the options to find one that attacks this assumption.
The correct option shows that the onset of insomnia actually causes people to choose television over reading.
If the early stages of insomnia cause the behavior, then changing the behavior will not prevent the insomnia, effectively destroying the argument's conclusion.

Key Concept

Alternative explanations for causal claims (specifically, reverse causation).
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