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.

A letter to editor of scientific journal stated about study of eighteen rhesus monkeys which provides clues as to effects of birth order on an individual’s levels of stimulation. Study also mentioned about stimulating situations and production of hormone cortisol at firstborn infant monkeys which primes the body for increased activity levels, as do their younger siblings. Letter also pointed out about increased cortisol in stimulating situation in firstborn humans. Finally author stated that during pregnancy, first-time mother monkeys had higher levels of cortisol than did those who had several offspring. However, this letter forgets to consider many assumption and contains certain inconsistencies. So, we can say that this argument is highly flawed.

First of all, Look out at study of eighteen rhesus monkeys which provides information about effects of birth order on an individual’s level of stimulation. This study showed stimulating situation in firstborn infant who produces twice cortisol than his siblings. However, letter does not mentioned anything about condition in which this study happens, the food provided during pregnancy to monkey mother. They also assumed result just by study of 18 rhesus monkeys and generalize it for whole species. So, This information has some flaws which can be improved by mentioning conditions of study area. Although, results for some animals does not guaranteed about same result by whole species.

Further, letter linked this with human with statement as firstborn human has also relatively high cortisol than other siblings in stimulating conditions. So, author used relatively high does not provide proper level of difference of cortisol in stimulating situation between firstborn and other babies. Letter wants to use rhesus monkeys evidence for human too. But, this is the misinterpretation of information gained by any study. As we think if we find any property for one metal and generalize it for all kinds of metals which seems obviously false. Same as here, monkeys have their own biological structure as humans has own. So, relatively high might 51 percent to 49 percent which is almost same. So, letter has to provide proper evidence for citing out humans cortisol level.
Finally letter pointed out about mother monkeys have high level of cortisol during pregnancy than several offspring. As in pointed out in argument, cortisol hormone increased during stimulating situation. Thus, at pregnancy time mother has some kind of worry about their baby which seems pretty obvious. So, letter just pointed out this result by study but did not take care to pointed out evidence for that information or any proper source. If cortisol has author effects and works on body during pregnancy time then high rate of that hormone is normal.

Above points weakens the argument. Letter gave information about cortisol hormone during stimulating situation in baby and how rate of that depends on baby order. But letter does not provide proper evidence and posses so many unstated assumption. So, this letter about study is highly flawed. So, if editor wants to publish it then first he has to find out proper evidence and other consideration like environment of place too.