Logical Reasoning

PT113 · S2 · Q8 Conscientiousness is high on most

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Conscientiousness is high on most firms’ list of traits they want in employees.

Given that ...

Conscientiousness is high on most firms' list of traits they want in employees.

Why is it that ..

A recent study found that when it comes to the unemployed, conscientious individuals are less likely to find jobs within 5 months than are people who when they were employed shirked their workplace responsibilities (i.e., weren't conscientious).

Goal

It's always hard to predict answers on Paradox, but even more so when it's an EXCEPT question (because you'd have to predict four separate answers).

So let's just head to the answers, thinking,

What is different about these two groups that makes one group have a harder time finding a job and the other an easier time?

8.

Each of the following, if true, helps to resolve the apparent paradox above EXCEPT:

  1. Correct

    People who shirk their workplace

    Why this is right

    The raw numbers here are completely irrelevant. It wouldn't matter which group there was numerically more of, because the study was talking about one group being less likely to find a job than the other. Whenever we express things as rates or probabilities or percentages or likelihoods, it doesn't matter what the underlying population size is in real numbers. This study is reporting something like, "only 25% of conscientious people were able to find a job within five months, whereas 45% of non-conscientious people were able to". It makes no difference what the real number is for each of those groups.

    Skill tested: Paradox · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    71% picked this

  2. Conscientious people tend to have

    Helps Explain

    This gives a reason why conscientious people are more likely to take more than five months to find a job: they're picky! Whereas the un-conscientious will take whatever job they're offered, the conscientious people won't settle. They'll take 8 months if that's what it takes to find the 'right' fit.

    8% picked this

  3. Resentment about having been laid

    Helps Explain

    This gives a reason why conscientious people are less likely to get a job: they're bad at job interviews! They feel so disrespected and under-appreciated from their former job, that they vent frustration and hostility at their job interviews and thus they fail to make a good enough impression to get hired.

    5% picked this

  4. People who are inclined to

    Helps Explain

    This gives a reason why un-conscientious people are more likely to get a job sooner: they'll lie about their qualifications. While the conscientious people will tell the truth like, "No, I don't know any programming languages", the un-conscientious will be like, "Sure, I know C++ and Javascript. No prob." Thus, the un-conscientious will be more likely to get hired, since the employer will be impressed by their (fake) credentials.

    6% picked this

  5. Finding a job is less

    Helps Explain

    This gives a reason why conscientious people are more likely to take more than five months to find a job: they saved up money / they're less desperate. Whereas the un-conscientious will take whatever job they're offered, because they need money desperately, the conscientious people won't settle. They'll take 8 months if that's what it takes to find the 'right' fit. They're not stressed for money yet because they were very responsible and saved up a large "rainy day" fund.

    11% picked this

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