LSAT Explanation PT 29, S4, Q19: In the decade from the mid-1980s

LSAT Question Stem

Each of the following contributes to an explanation of the surprising survey results described above EXCEPT: 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Paradox question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the passage. It states that from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, large corporations experienced mergers, reengineering, and downsizing, which significantly undermined employees' job security. However, employees' perception of their own job security hardly changed during this period, with 58% in 1984 and 55% in 1994 saying their jobs were very secure. This is surprising because we would expect the employees' perception of job security to decrease given the events that occurred.

The question type is a Paradox, and we are asked to identify the answer choice that does NOT contribute to an explanation of the surprising survey results.

a) This answer choice suggests that a significant number of people in both surveys worked in small companies that were not affected by the events mentioned. If these employees were not affected, their perception of job security would likely remain constant. This helps explain the surprising survey results.

b) This answer choice states that employees who feel secure in their jobs tend to think that others' jobs are secure as well. However, this does not contribute to an explanation of why employees' perception of their own job security remained constant during the period in question. This is the correct answer.

c) This answer choice posits that the corporate downsizing had been widely anticipated before the mid-1980s. If employees were already aware of the upcoming downsizing, it is possible that their perception of job security had already adjusted to this expectation, thus explaining the similar survey results in 1984 and 1994.

d) This answer choice indicates that most of the major downsizing took place within a year after the first survey. This suggests that by the time the second survey was conducted in 1994, the downsizing had been completed for a significant amount of time, allowing employees to feel secure in their jobs once again. This helps explain the surprising survey results.

e) This answer choice suggests that people in the mid-1990s were generally more optimistic about their lives, even in the face of hardship. This increased optimism could help explain why employees' perception of job security remained constant despite the events occurring during the period.

In summary, answer choice B does not contribute to an explanation of the surprising survey results, while the other answer choices do. Therefore, the correct answer is B.