A Radio Story Reported a Study on the Makes and Models

question 352

Multiple Choice

A radio story reported a study on the makes and models of cars that were observed going through intersections in the Washington, D.C. area without stopping at the stop signs. According to the story, Volvos were heavily overrepresented; the fraction of cars running stop signs that were Volvos was much greater than the fraction of Volvos in the total population of cars in the D.C. area. This is initially surprising because Volvo has built a reputation as an especially safe car that appeals to sensible, safety-conscious drivers. How is this observation best explained?

• A)Volvo drivers are not willing to take risks that they would take in another, less safe car. Driving a Volvo leads to a propensity to run stop signs.
• B)Volvo drivers are not willing to take risks that they would take in another, less safe car. Driving a Volvo reduces the propensity to run stop signs.
• C)Volvo drivers are willing to take risks that they would not take in another, less safe car. Driving a Volvo reduces the propensity to run stop signs.
• D)Volvo drivers are willing to take risks that they would not take in another, less safe car. Driving a Volvo leads to a propensity to run stop signs.

---

Definitions:

Natural Concepts

Mental representations of objects and events drawn from our experiences in the world rather than defined by a set of specific rules.

Formal Concepts

Mentally constructed categories defined by set rules or criteria, used in logical reasoning and cognitive processes.

Fuzzy

Lacking clarity or precision; indistinct or vague, often describing textures that are soft and fluffy to the touch.

Concepts

Mental representations or ideas that help organize and categorize the world.