The field of study called affective neuroscience seeks instinctive, physiological causes for feelings such as pleasure or displeasure. Because these...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The field of study called affective neuroscience seeks instinctive, physiological causes for feelings such as pleasure or displeasure. Because these sensations are linked to a chemical component (for example, the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain when one receives or expects a reward), they can be said to have a partly physiological basis. These processes have been described in mammals, but Jingnan Huang and his colleagues have recently observed that some behaviors of honeybees (such as foraging) are also motivated by a dopamine-based signaling process.
What choice best describes the main purpose of the text?
It describes an experimental method of measuring the strength of physiological responses in humans.
It illustrates processes by which certain insects can express how they are feeling.
It summarizes a finding suggesting that some mechanisms in the brains of certain insects resemble mechanisms in mammalian brains.
It presents research showing that certain insects and mammals behave similarly when there is a possibility of a reward for their actions.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The field of study called affective neuroscience seeks instinctive, physiological causes for feelings such as pleasure or displeasure.' |
|
| 'Because these sensations are linked to a chemical component (for example, the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain when one receives or expects a reward), they can be said to have a partly physiological basis.' |
|
| 'These processes have been described in mammals,' |
|
| 'but Jingnan Huang and his colleagues have recently observed that some behaviors of honeybees (such as foraging) are also motivated by a dopamine-based signaling process.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map: Field definition → Explanation with evidence → Current knowledge → New finding
Main Point: Recent research has found that honeybees have dopamine-based brain processes similar to those previously known only in mammals.
Argument Flow: The passage starts by defining affective neuroscience and explaining how feelings have chemical bases. It establishes that these dopamine processes were known in mammals, then presents the key finding that similar processes have now been discovered in honeybees.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The main purpose of the entire text.
What type of answer do we need? A statement about what the passage as a whole is trying to accomplish.
Any limiting keywords?
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer should focus on the main finding that brain mechanisms previously known in mammals have now been found in insects too.
It describes an experimental method of measuring the strength of physiological responses in humans.
- Claims the text describes experimental methods, but the passage focuses on findings, not methodology.
It illustrates processes by which certain insects can express how they are feeling.
- Says the text shows how insects express feelings, but the passage is about brain mechanisms that motivate behavior, not emotional expression.
It summarizes a finding suggesting that some mechanisms in the brains of certain insects resemble mechanisms in mammalian brains.
- States the text summarizes a finding about brain mechanism similarities between insects and mammals. This perfectly matches our analysis.
It presents research showing that certain insects and mammals behave similarly when there is a possibility of a reward for their actions.
- Focuses on similar behaviors rather than the underlying neurochemical mechanisms that are the passage's main point.