Logical Reasoning

PT129 · S2 · Q2 Long-distance runners use two different kinds

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Long-distance runners use two different kinds of cognitive strategies: "associative" and "dissociative."

Facts

Long distance runners either use associative strategies (attend to your senses ... this requires so much concentration that it results in mental exhaustion for more than a day) or dissociative strategies (ignore your senses ... this does not require so much concentration that it exhausts you for more than a day). + It's really important for long distance runners to be mentally refreshed when they race.

Evaluation

We were given a comparison between associative and dissociative, and then we were given a fact about long-distance runners: they need to be mentally refreshed. Is there overlap between the two threads of discussion? Yes - in the comparison we talked about mental exhaustion. And we're learning that a runner wants the opposite of that (mental refreshment) on race day.

Goal

Sounds like a long distance runner would rather do dissociative strategies the day before the race, since it won't leave them feeling mentally depleted on race day the way associative strategies would.

2.

Which one of the following most logically completes the argument?

  1. Correct

    long-distance runners should not rely

    Why this is right

    This makes sense. Associate strategies leave you mentally exhausted the following day, but long distance runners want to be mentally refreshed on race day.

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

    88% picked this

  2. unless they regularly train using

    Too Strong: "unless"

    Based on what we heard about the two strategies, it seems like either one is a contender for during races. We have no reason to care whether the long distance runner is mentally exhausted the day after the race.

    2% picked this

  3. maximizing the benefits of training

    Too Strong

    Too Strong: "maximizing" / "frequently alternating" / Out of Scope: "benefits" We have no idea which strategy is better at maximizing the benefits of training. We certainly can't assume that frequently alternating is the optimum strategy.

    2% picked this

  4. long-distance runners are about evenly

    Too Strong

    Too Strong: "evenly divided" / Out of Scope Comparison We have no way of comparing what proportion of runners are using one strategy vs. the other (perhaps they all use both?)

    0% picked this

  5. in long-distance running, dissociative strategies

    Too Strong: "generally more effective"

    We know that associative has one downside that dissociative doesn't (it leaves you mentally exhausted the day after). But we don't know what potential upsides associative may have, so it could still be the more effective method in general.

    7% picked this

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