Argument Essay-->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), firstbor

The author’s argument that effects of birth order vary monkey individual’s level of stimulation seems to be tenable at first glance. However, the conclusion relies on assumptions for which there are no clear evidences.

To begin with, author told that that in stimulating situation first born infant monkey produce up to twice as much of the hormone cortisol as compared to their younger siblings. However, it relies on insufficient evidences like it is difficult to justify something on the basis of a study of eighteen rhesus monkeys that they have more hormone cortisol as compare to their younger siblings. There can be a possibility that the monkeys chosen for study are medically fit as compare to their younger siblings. If monkey’s siblings are suffering from some disease then it is difficult for them to behave in the same way as those eighteen rhesus monkeys used for study purpose.

In addition to it, author also provided an argument that first born humans also produce high levels of cortisols in stimulating situation, however, on the basis of this argument it is difficult to consider that rhesus monkey also produce more cortisols in stimulating situation. As everybody knows that according to life cycle human is related to monkey but it is inappropriate to compare the knowledge level, mind development and behavior of human with a monkey. It is undeniable that brain controls the activity level and hormone secretion and today human brain is more developed than a monkey. Humans has control on their emotions, temper etc. which a monkey does not have. They are more destructive as compare to human. So monkeys are different as compare to humans.

Furthermore, author’s argument that first-time mother monkeys had higher levels of cortisol than did those who had had several offspring is based on lack of evidences as there could be a possibility that at the time of pregnancy a first–time monkey mother produces cortisol automatically. It should be some activity which a first-time monkey mother does at the time of pregnancy. It can be considered that while pregnancy her brain leads to increase the activity level of her body. Here, author did not provide any evidence describing the proper reason for higher levels of cortisols.

In conclusion, writer may not necessarily be wrong to assert that in stimulating situation infant rhesus monkey produce higher levels of hormone cortisols. But this argument provided by author is not substantiated with enough evidences. It is inappropriate to consider something for whole monkey community on the basis of studying only 18 monkeys of specific species. To bolster the argument, author has to submit more conclusive evidences which highlight the proper reason behind higher level of hormone cortisols more manifestly.