Question

Neuroscientists: Memory evolved to help animals react appropriately to situations they encounter by drawing on the past experience of similar situations. But this does not require that animals perfectly recall every detail of all their experiences. Instead, to function well, memory should generalize from past experiences that are similar to the current one.

The neuroscientists' statement, if true, most strongly supports which of the following conclusions?

• A. At least some animals perfectly recall every detail of at least some past experiences.
• B. Perfectly recalling every detail of all their past experiences could help at least some animals react more appropriately than they otherwise would to new situations they encounter.
• C. Generalizing from the past experiences requires clear memories of most if not all the details of those experiences.
• D. Recalling every detail of all past experiences would be incompatible with any ability to generalize from those experiences.
• E. Animals can often react more appropriately than they otherwise would to situations they encounter if they draw on generalizations from past experiences of similar situations.

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

Animals can often react more appropriately than they otherwise would to situations they encounter if they draw on generalizations from past experiences of similar situations.

Conclusion E is the only option that befits the context.