Economist Dr. Almeida claims that certain anti-poverty cash transfer programs in low-income countries primarily improve well-being not through the cash itself but by reducing recipients' chronic stress, which in turn improves decision-making and labor outcomes.
Which finding, if true, would most strongly support Dr. Almeida's claim?
- A
Many recipients reported feeling happier after receiving cash transfers.
- Bcheck_circle
Recipients of cash transfers showed improvements in cognitive performance and labor income only when their measured cortisol (stress hormone) levels also dropped.
- C
Cash transfer programs have been shown to reduce poverty rates.
- D
Recipients of cash transfers spent a portion of the money on food and household items.
Explanation
A links improvements in outcomes specifically to a measured drop in stress, isolating the proposed mechanism. B, C, and D are consistent with cash transfers helping but do not isolate stress reduction as the mechanism.