Question

Read the passage and answer the question that follows:
Modern behavioral economists argue that human decisions are not merely deviations from rationality but reflections of multiple competing goals: emotional satisfaction, social approval, cognitive ease, and fear avoidance. Traditional economic models assumed that people maximize utility through consistent preferences. However, empirical evidence shows that preferences fluctuate depending on framing, context, memory limits, and social cues. What we label as “irrationality” may simply be the mind optimizing for criteria that formal models fail to capture.
Question: Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the author’s argument?

Hint:

For strengthening questions, look for evidence that reinforces the author's reasoning process, not just the conclusion. The best answer usually provides a mechanism that supports the author’s claim.

Answer 1

Since the specific options (A, B, C, D) are not visible, the exact choice cannot be selected. However, we can identify the type of option that would best strengthen the passage’s argument.
The author claims that behaviors labeled “irrational” by traditional economics are actually rational responses to alternative goals such as emotional comfort, social approval, or fear reduction. Thus, a strengthening statement must show that a seemingly irrational decision actually serves one of these overlooked goals.
A correct strengthening option would look like this: \[ “A study finds that individuals who make financially ‘irrational’ choices, such as sharing resources, often gain social status and long-term community support.” \] This strengthens the argument by showing that the behavior optimizes a real benefit ignored by standard economic models.