The following appeared as part of a letter to the editor of a scientific

journal.
"A recent study of eighteen rhesus monkeys provides clues as to the
effects of birth order on an individual's levels of stimulation. The
study showed that in stimulating situations (such as an encounter
with an unfamiliar monkey), firstborn infant monkeys produce up to
twice as much of the hormone cortisol, which primes the body for
increased activity levels, as do their younger siblings. Firstborn
humans also produce relatively high levels of cortisol in stimulating
situations (such as the return of a parent after an absence). The study
also found that during pregnancy, first-time mother monkeys had
higher levels of cortisol than did those who had had several
offspring."
Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative
explanations that could rival the proposed explanation and explain
how your explanation(s) can plausibly account for the facts
presented in the argument.
In this argument, the author claims that the birth order of rhesus monkeys
affects the simulation level by the referring to a study on an 18 monkeys sample.
This argument has logical flaws and possesses weak premises, which will
undermine the ultimate conclusion.
First of all this is a clear case of a sampling assumption. The sample size of 18
monkeys is too small to establish any concrete fact about a species of monkeys.
The sample size should be big enough to reflect the properties of the whole
species. It might be possible that that particular group of rhesus monkeys were
was showing signs of aberration from normal properties of rhesus monkeys.
Environment factors like natural habitat of the monkeys also affects the
monkeys metabolism, which could result into extraordinary hormone
production. The author claims the argument on the basis of cortisol hormone,
but there are many more hormones present in a living being which could affect
the simulation. No data about other hormones causing simulation is presented in
the argument.
Finally, the author fails to present any fact that will strengthen the relation
between monkeys and humans, so that a link can be established and an inference
made about monkeys can also be said about humans and vice versa.
The author states that during pregnancy, t. The first-time mother monkeys had
higher levels of cortisol than those who had had several offsprings. However,
the author dies not mention why the higher level of cortisol in mothers will lead
to higher level of cortisol in the first-born.
Finally, the cause of simulation in the case of monkeys and humans are very
different. In the case of rhesus monkey, encountering an unfamiliar monkey

caused the simulation, whereas in case of humans, it was caused after seeing
someone familiar after a long time. The contrast between the causes of
simulation affects the credibility of the authors claim.
Considering these plausible explanations, the authors argument lacks concrete
facts to back up the final conclusion.

To understand the most important characteristics of a society, one

must study its major cities.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree
or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the
position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you
should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold
true and explain how these considerations shape your position.
Human psychology, one of the most intriguing, diverse and complex architecture,
can well be explicated by studying the various traits, behavioral patterns,
interactions and inherent qualities of human beings. Society, too, follows the
same hierarchy. It is a multi-layered, diverse and dynamic living element, which
moulds and adapts itself with changing times and situation.
Society can be defined as a group of people living together, characterized by a
culture or a melange of cultures, inhabited within the parameters of certain
geographic, political and social boundaries, following a set of norms and beliefs
and representing themselves as a single entity, identified and recognized all
across the globe.
The characteristics of a society are featured through its culture, the beliefs, the
tradition, the dress code, the languages people speak, their views, their ideals
and most importantly the people themselves. People represent cities and cities
reflect the society. Their food habits and their tastes speak about them- whether
it is the vada pav of the Maharashtrians, the pizzas of the Americans or the rice
cakes of the Chinese- everywhere we can get a hint of their culture. Music- the
nebulous aspect - strongly identifies culture. From the evergreen classics and
folk tunes to the modern day rock-and-roll and electronic music, we can fathom
the diverse changes a society is moving through incessantly and how people are
reacting to the changes.
Varied lifestyle of people is also governed by the geographical and climatic
factors of a city. Inhabitants of the hills or the arid lands, live lives completely
different from that of the people living in plains or coastal areas. A study of
culture shows that people of the hills are relatively more industrious and tend to
socialize more within themselves than others. Geography also affects the
economy of a city and subsequently that of the society. Plainlands, places nearer
to water bodies and regions have good transport connectivity burgeon in trade
and as a result, there is an economic bloom as wells as the upliftment of the
overall standard of living.
The basic factors on which the development of a society depends are the food,
the shelter and the education. For a major thriving city, these resources are

readily available whereas we may not find an equal distribution of basic

amenities along with the laws amongst village dwellers. Although rural areas and
towns do form an important part of civilization, they mainly represent the old
cultural heritage while, besides representing the rich tradition, the major cities
also exhibit the changes in cultural background through recent developments in
the lifestyle of the people, thereby portraying the stronghold of any society,
echoing dynamicity.
Considering all the points as stated, we infer that it is indeed the major cities that
uphold the society, define the characteristics of its civilizations and reflects its
culture. The way both the biotic and abiotic components interact with each
other, presenting a diverse yet unified setup that has an identity of its own is
what a society stands for.