Passage
Direction for Reading Comprehension: The passages given here are followed by some questions that have four answer choices; read the passage carefully and pick the option whose answer best aligns with the passage
Aggression is any behavior that is directed toward injuring, harming, or inflicting pain on another living being or group of beings. Generally, the victim(s) of aggression must wish to avoid such behavior in order for it to be considered true aggression. Aggression is also categorized according to its ultimate intent. Hostile aggression is an aggressive act that results from anger, and is intended to inflict pain or injury because of that anger. Instrumental aggression is an aggressive act that is regarded as a means to an end other than pain or injury. For example, an enemy combatant may be subjected to torture in order to extract useful intelligence, though those inflicting the torture may have no real feelings of anger or animosity toward their subject. The concept of aggression is very broad, and includes many categories of behavior (e.g., verbal aggression, street crime, child abuse, spouse abuse, group conflict, war, etc.). A number of theories and models of aggression have arisen to explain these diverse forms of behavior, and these theories/models tend to be categorized according to their specific focus. The most common system of categorization groups the various approaches to aggression into three separate areas, based upon the three key variables that are present whenever any aggressive act or set of acts is committed. The first variable is the aggressor him/herself. The second is the social situation or circumstance in which the aggressive act(s) occur. The third variable is the target or victim of aggression.
Regarding theories and research on the aggressor, the fundamental focus is on the factors that lead an individual (or group) to commit aggressive acts. At the most basic level, some argue that aggressive urges and actions are the result of inborn, biological factors. Sigmund Freud (1930) proposed that all individuals are born with a death instinct that predisposes us to a variety of aggressive behaviors, including suicide (self directed aggression) and mental illness (possibly due to an unhealthy or unnatural suppression of aggressive urges). Other influential perspectives supporting a biological basis for aggression conclude that humans evolved with an abnormally low neural inhibition of aggressive impulses (in comparison to other species), and that humans possess a powerful instinct for property accumulation and territorialism. It is proposed that this instinct accounts for hostile behaviors ranging from minor street crime to world wars. Hormonal factors also appear to play a significant role in fostering aggressive tendencies. For example, the hormone testosterone has been shown to increase aggressive behaviors when injected into animals. Men and women convicted of violent crimes also possess significantly higher levels of testosterone than men and women convicted of nonviolent crimes. Numerous studies comparing different age groups, racial/ethnic groups, and cultures also indicate that men, overall, are more likely to engage in a variety of aggressive behaviors (e.g., sexual assault, aggravated assault, etc.) than women. One explanation for higher levels of aggression in men is based on the assumption that, on average, men have higher levels of testosterone than women.
Question for CAT 2020 Reading Comprehension Questions- 11
Try yourself:The author identifies three essential factors according to which theories of aggression are most commonly categorised. Which of the following options is closest to the factors identified by the author?
Explanation
This is the easiest question of the passage. The clue to the right answer is given in the last part of the first paragraph. Reading that part is enough to spot the right choice. It says there are three variables present in an aggressive act. They are: the aggressor, the circumstances, and the victim.
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Question for CAT 2020 Reading Comprehension Questions- 11
Try yourself:All of the following statements can be seen as logically implied by the arguments of the passage EXCEPT:
Explanation
Look at the last paragraph of the passage," Other influential perspectives supporting a biological basis for aggression conclude that humans evolved with an abnormally low neural inhibition of aggressive impulses". While the second option talks about neural regulation of testosterone, which is factually incorrect. Hence this is the answer.
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Question for CAT 2020 Reading Comprehension Questions- 11
Try yourself:“[A]n enemy combatant may be subjected to torture in order to extract useful intelligence, though those inflicting the torture may have no real feelings of anger or animosity toward their subject.” Which one of the following best explicates the larger point being made by the author here?
Explanation
Let's look at the options one by one.
Option A is a distorted option. The sentence is not about the reliability of the information. Its about the inherent aggression involved.
Option B is also incorrect. Nothing has been mentioned about when the enemy refuses to reveal information. Hence this is beyond the scope of the passage.
On similar lines option D is also incorrect. Nothing has been said about the most effective method to extract information.
Option C correctly captures the essence. Sometimes the aggressor has no intention to inflict pain, its just a means to an utilitarian end. Hence this is the correct option.
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Question for CAT 2020 Reading Comprehension Questions- 11
Try yourself:The author discusses all of the following arguments in the passage EXCEPT that:
Explanation
We must remember that this is an except question. We must pick the choice that is not presented as the author’s argument. Choice 1 goes out because the author discusses it towards the end of the passage. Men have higher levels of testosterone, resulting in higher aggression. The second sentence of the last paragraph provides clue for choice 2. Thus 2 is also eliminated. The first paragraph elaborately describes the varying nature of aggression. Thus 3 also is eliminated. The moderation of death instinct is nowhere discussed in the passage, although the presence of death instinct is discussed. Thus 4 is the right choice.
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