12. A researcher studying drug addicts found that, on
average, they tend to manipulate other people a
great deal more than nonaddicts do. The researcher
concluded that people who frequently manipulate
other people are likely to become addicts.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weak-
ens the researcher's conclusion?
(A) After becoming addicted to drugs, drug addicts
learn to manipulate other people as a way of
obtaining drugs.
(B) When they are imprisoned, drug addicts often
use their ability to manipulate other people to
obtain better living conditions.
(C) Some nonaddicts manipulate other people more
than some addicts do.
(D) People who are likely to become addicts exhibit
unusual behavior patterns other than
frequent manipulation of other people
(E) The addicts that the researcher studied were
often unsuccessful in obtaining what they
wanted when they manipulated other people.
