When treating chronic pain, medical professionals have increasingly recognized that psychological and social factors play crucial roles alongside biol...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
When treating chronic pain, medical professionals have increasingly recognized that psychological and social factors play crucial roles alongside biological ones. This integrated perspective, known as the biopsychosocial model of pain management, suggests that effective treatment requires addressing multiple dimensions simultaneously. Dr. Sarah Chen's longitudinal studies have provided empirical support for this approach, showing that patients who received mindfulness-based interventions in addition to traditional medical treatment experienced significant reductions in both pain intensity and medication dependence. _______ Chen's findings strongly validate the biopsychosocial framework's emphasis on interconnected treatment factors.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Therefore,
However,
For instance,
In contrast,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "When treating chronic pain, medical professionals have increasingly recognized that psychological and social factors play crucial roles alongside biological ones." |
|
| "This integrated perspective, known as the biopsychosocial model of pain management, suggests that effective treatment requires addressing multiple dimensions simultaneously." |
|
| "Dr. Sarah Chen's longitudinal studies have provided empirical support for this approach, showing that patients who received mindfulness-based interventions in addition to traditional medical treatment experienced significant reductions in both pain intensity and medication dependence." |
|
| "Chen's findings strongly validate the biopsychosocial framework's emphasis on interconnected treatment factors." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Chen's research provides empirical validation for the biopsychosocial approach to pain management.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes how medical thinking about pain has evolved to include psychological and social factors, defines this integrated approach, then presents Chen's research as concrete proof that this multi-dimensional treatment works better than traditional approaches alone.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our passage analysis, we have Chen's studies providing empirical support (the evidence), and then after the blank, we have a statement that Chen's findings validate the framework (the conclusion drawn from that evidence)
- The logical relationship here is cause-and-effect or conclusion-drawing
- We need a transition that shows the validation statement flows logically from the evidence presented
- The right answer should signal that what follows is a logical conclusion or result based on the evidence we just read about Chen's studies
Therefore,
- "Therefore" signals that what follows is a logical conclusion drawn from the preceding evidence
- Perfectly matches the relationship we identified - Chen's evidence leads to the conclusion that the framework is validated
- Creates the logical flow: evidence → therefore → conclusion about what that evidence proves
However,
- "However" signals contrast or opposition to what came before
- This would suggest Chen's findings somehow contradict or oppose the previous information
- Makes no sense since Chen's studies actually support the biopsychosocial model
For instance,
- "For instance" introduces an example or illustration
- The validation statement is not an example of something - it is a conclusion drawn from the evidence
- Would create an illogical relationship where the conclusion is treated as just another example
In contrast,
- "In contrast" signals opposition or difference from what preceded
- Like "However," this would wrongly suggest Chen's findings oppose the previous information
- Completely misrepresents the supportive relationship between Chen's evidence and the framework