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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.

Although firstborn individuals may show higher levels of cortisol in stimulating conditions, the author’s argument does not provide a plausible case to prove the effects of birth order on levels of stimulation on an individual. The author has concluded the effects of birth order from the clues the study on rhesus monkey gives, but, does not provide cogency to substantiate the levels of cortisol in firstborn individuals.

Given the recent study on levels of stimulation on rhesus monkey, the study reported that firstborn monkeys showed double production of cortisol. However, the scope and validity of the study is not cited by the author in the argument. For instance, out of eighteen rhesus monkey, only 3 might have shown similar results in stimulating conditions. This accounts for only a sixth population of monkeys studied. Basis this, it cannot be concluded that all firstborn monkeys would react in same pattern when encountered with an unfamiliar monkey or stimulating situation.

Furthermore, the author cites congruency of study and effects on birth order in humans by stating humans too, produce higher levels of cortisol in stimulating situations. This could be a coincidence of higher production and levels of cortisol in rhesus monkeys and humans. The most critical question that arises here is, can the study of birth order effects on monkeys be extended to humans? To answer this, one needs solid data on cortisol production in humans during stimulating times. It may be possible that firstborn humans already have higher levels of hormone - cortisol at all times as compared to their younger siblings.

On the contrary to the correlation between humans and monkeys, it could be possible that during stimulating situations, the levels of hormone in humans must be reducing, but, not below the number of cortisol-hormone in their younger counterparts. We just don’t know the production rate of hormone and levels of increase or decrease in firstborn humans and their younger siblings.

Lastly, the author attempts to further strengthen the argument by providing case of first-time pregnant mothers. The author states that the study revealed mother monkeys having several offspring have lower levels of cortisol, whereas, first-time mother monkeys had higher levels of cortisol. While this may be true, the results cannot be stretched to the results on birth order effects.

Every individual reacts differently in stimulating conditions and its bodies respond differently, producing higher or lower levels of cortisol. Though, the author provides results of a study but does not back it by strong factors required to validate effects of birth order, the argument remains unsubstantiated and open to debate.