LSAT Explanation PT 43, S2, Q3: Cognitive psychologist: In a recent survey,

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, would most help to explain the survey results described by the cognitive psychologist? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Paradox question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the passage and summarize the information provided. The passage presents a survey in which citizens of Country F were asked to choose between two scenarios: (1) Country F is the world economic leader with a GNP of $100 billion, and Country G is second with a GNP of $90 billion; or (2) Country G is the economic leader with a GNP of $120 billion, and Country F is second with a GNP of $110 billion. Surprisingly, most respondents preferred scenario 1, even though Country F would have a higher GNP in scenario 2. This is the paradox we need to resolve.

The question type is "Resolve the Paradox," and we are asked to find the answer choice that best explains the survey results described by the cognitive psychologist.

Now, let's discuss the answer choices:

a) Most citizens of Country F believe their country has a higher economic growth rate than Country G.

This answer choice does not explain why the majority of respondents preferred scenario 1, where Country F has a lower total GNP. We need to find a reason why citizens are willing to sacrifice some GNP to have a higher GNP than Country G.

b) Most citizens of Country F want their country to have a GNP higher than $120 billion.

While this may be true, neither of the survey scenarios offer a GNP higher than $120 billion. Therefore, this information does not help explain the survey results.

c) Most citizens of Country F believe that their personal welfare is unconnected to GNP.

This answer choice doesn't explain why the majority preferred scenario 1, as citizens who believe their personal welfare is unconnected to GNP could have just as reasonably preferred scenario 2. It also doesn't explain why respondents are willing to forego $10 billion in GNP just to be the world economic leader.

d) Most citizens of Country F believe GNP is a poor measure of a nation's economic health.

Similar to answer choice (c), this option doesn't provide a logical reason for choosing scenario 1 over scenario 2.

e) Most citizens of Country F want their country to be more economically powerful than Country G.

This is the correct answer choice. It provides a logical reason for preferring scenario 1: if most citizens of Country F want their country to be more economically powerful than Country G, this consideration may be enough to outweigh the lower overall GNP of scenario 1. Even if their reasoning may be flawed, the inhabitants of the LSAT world believe their behavior is logical and consistent, so there must be some internal rationale behind their choice.