If Broca's area is destroyed, then speech production will be disturbed. Raoul was in a car accident that left the left frontal language area in his brain almost completely destroyed. Brain scans showed that both Broca's area and Wernicke's area were destroyed. Therefore, Raoul's speech will be disturbed. This argument is sound because:
A) it involves asserting the consequent.
B) all of the premises are true.
C) it is both valid and the premises are true.
D) left hemisphere damage leads to language problems.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The argument is valid because it follows the form of modus tollens (if A then B, not B, therefore not A), and all the premises are true. The premises establish that Broca's area and Wernicke's area were destroyed due to the car accident, and the conclusion logically follows that Raoul's speech will be disturbed. Additionally, it is well-established in neuroscience that damage to the left frontal language area (including Broca's area and Wernicke's area) can lead to language problems.

If Broca's Area Is Destroyed, Then Speech Production Will Be