The passage tells it that according to one hypothesis dreams are produced when the brain is erasing parasitic connections. Interestingly, the only mammal that does not appear to have dreams is the spiny anteater, which also happens to have a very large brain relative to the animal's size. This fact provides some confirmation for the hypothesis as the hypothesis predicts that for an animal that if an animal does not dream, it would need extra memory space for the parasitic connection and hence, a larger brain size, as is the case with an anteater.
The reasoning in the argument conforms to which of the following principles:
(A) Facts about one species of animal can provide confirmation for hypotheses about all species that are similar in all relevant aspects to the particular species in question.
Incorrect. This answer choice may appear attractive at first, but anteaters are actually different in "all relevant aspects" because they are the only mammal that appears to not produce dreams.
(B) A hypothesis from which several predictions can be drawn as logical conclusions is confirmed only when the majority of these predictions turn out to be true.
Incorrect. The argument only talks about one prediction and uses the evidence in support of this prediction to conclude that the hypothesis as a whole is true.
(C) A hypothesis about the purpose of an action or object is confirmed when it is shown that the hypothesized purpose is achieved with the help of the action or object and could not be achieved without that action or object.
Incorrect. The argument never demonstrates that erasing parasitic connections is achieved and can only be achieved by dreaming. It only provides evidence that lack of dreams may indicate the lack of the process to erase parasitic connections, not the other way around.
(D) A hypothesis is partially confirmed whenever a prediction derived from that hypothesis provides an explanation for an otherwise unexplained set of facts.
Correct. The passage carefully qualifies its conclusion, saying "this fact provides SOME confirmation," i.e. partially confirms the hypothesis because a prediction from this hypothesis explains an unusually large brain relative to the anteater's size, "which has been seen as anomalous," meaning no other explanation has been available.
(E) When several competing hypotheses exist, one of them is confirmed only when it makes a correct prediction that its rivals fail to make.
Incorrect. There is no discussion of any competing hypothesis and associated predictions.
Does this make sense?
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Julie-VAugust 16, 2019
thank you for the detailed explanation! Really helpful
RaviAugust 16, 2019
@Julie-V, let us know if you have any other questions!
