The study of chaos theory reveals that even deterministic systems—those whose future behavior is fully determined by their initial conditions and fixed laws—can exhibit unpredictable behavior. This unpredictability, often termed 'deterministic chaos,' arises not from randomness but from an extreme sensitivity to initial conditions, a phenomenon popularly known as the 'butterfly effect.' A tiny, almost immeasurable difference in the starting point of a chaotic system can lead to vastly different outcomes over time. This has profound implications for fields like meteorology, where long-term weather forecasting remains a significant challenge despite sophisticated models, and economics, where market behaviors can appear erratic.
What is the key reason for unpredictability in chaotic systems, according to the text?
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The passage states that deterministic chaos is characterized by:
The study of chaos theory reveals that even deterministic systems—those whose future behavior is fully determined by their initial conditions and fixed laws—can exhibit unpredictable behavior. This unpredictability, often termed 'deterministic chaos,' arises not from randomness but from an extreme sensitivity to initial conditions, a phenomenon popularly known as the 'butterfly effect.' A tiny, almost immeasurable difference in the starting point of a chaotic system can lead to vastly different outcomes over time. This has profound implications for fields like meteorology, where long-term weather forecasting remains a significant challenge despite sophisticated models, and economics, where market behaviors can appear erratic.
How does the passage define or illustrate the 'butterfly effect'?
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The 'butterfly effect' is mentioned in the passage as an example of:
The concept of 'cognitive dissonance,' first proposed by Leon Festinger, describes the mental discomfort experienced by a person who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values, or when their beliefs are contradicted by new information. This discomfort leads to a motivational drive to reduce the dissonance, often by changing one of the conflicting elements, acquiring new information that supports one side, or downplaying the importance of the conflict. For example, a smoker who knows smoking is unhealthy might reduce dissonance by quitting smoking, by doubting the evidence about smoking's harm, or by convincing themselves that the pleasure of smoking outweighs the risks.
What condition leads to the mental discomfort described?
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According to the passage, cognitive dissonance arises when:
The concept of 'cognitive dissonance,' first proposed by Leon Festinger, describes the mental discomfort experienced by a person who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values, or when their beliefs are contradicted by new information. This discomfort leads to a motivational drive to reduce the dissonance, often by changing one of the conflicting elements, acquiring new information that supports one side, or downplaying the importance of the conflict. For example, a smoker who knows smoking is unhealthy might reduce dissonance by quitting smoking, by doubting the evidence about smoking's harm, or by convincing themselves that the pleasure of smoking outweighs the risks.
Look at the examples given for reducing dissonance.
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The passage suggests that one way individuals might reduce cognitive dissonance is by:
The Cambrian explosion, a period approximately 541 million years ago, marks a critical juncture in the history of life on Earth, during which most major animal phyla appeared in the fossil record. This relatively short span of geological time saw an astonishing diversification of life forms, including the emergence of animals with mineralized skeletons, complex body plans, and specialized sensory organs. While the exact causes are still debated, hypotheses include environmental changes such as increased oxygen levels, the evolution of predation which spurred defensive adaptations, and genetic innovations like the development of Hox genes that control body development.
What role did genetic innovations like Hox genes play during the Cambrian explosion?
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The author mentions Hox genes as a potential factor related to:
GRE Reading Comprehension Practice Quiz 5
Reading Maven!
Your ability to understand and analyze texts is exceptional!
Detail Detective!
Good job! You're picking up on important information.
Passage Puzzler!
Practice identifying the main idea and supporting details in each passage.
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