Logical Reasoning

PT129 · S3 · Q4 Two randomly selected groups

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Two randomly selected groups of 30 adults each were asked to write short stories on a particular topic.

Apparent Paradox

Two randomly selected groups of 30 adults each were asked to write short stories on a particular topic.

One group was told that the best stories would be awarded cash prizes, while the other group was not told of any prizes.

Each story was evaluated by a team of judges who were given no indication of the group from which the story came.

The stories submitted by those who thought they were competing for prizes were ranked on average significantly lower than the stories from the other group.

Evaluate

It would seem that believing one’s story would be evaluated actually reduced the average quality of one’s short story. Maybe the pressure to perform was just too much. Or maybe those who write short stories to win prizes take less risk and produce bland writing. Or maybe it’s the opposite and they take too much risk, writing outlandish and unbelievable stories.

4.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain the difference in average ranking between the two groups' stories?

  1. The cash prizes were too

    Too Weak

    This might explain why those who thought they were competing for prizes didn’t produce higher quality works, but it does not explain why the produced lower quality works.

    11% picked this

  2. Correct

    People writing to win prizes

    Why this is right

    This explains how people writing to win prizes would produce lower quality short stories than those not writing to win prizes.

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

    87% picked this

  3. Most adults show little originality

    Applies to Both

    This applies to both groups of writers and so cannot explain the difference.

    0% picked this

  4. The team of judges was

    Too Weak

    This would only explain the difference if it were known that those who thought they were competing for prizes were less likely to produce realistic short stories.

    0% picked this

  5. No one explained clearly to

    Evidence

    This is a premise in the argument.

    1% picked this

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