LSAT Explanation PT 31, S3, Q26: Sociologist: Suggestions for improved efficiency that

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following principles, if valid, most helps to justify the sociologist's reasoning? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Principle question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The sociologist presents the following premises and conclusion:

Premise 1: Suggestions for improved efficiency from employers are unlikely to elicit positive responses from employees, who tend to resent suggestions they did not generate.

Premise 2: An employer should engage the employee in a nonthreatening dialogue that emphasizes the positive contributions of the employee to the development of such ideas.

Conclusion: Then the ideas employers want to try will be implemented more quickly and effectively.

The question type is a Principle question, which asks us to find the principle that most helps to justify the sociologist's reasoning.

Now, let's evaluate the answer choices:

a) Employees are more likely to accept suggestions for improved efficiency when these suggestions are not obviously directed at them.

This answer choice doesn't address the idea of employee engagement in generating suggestions, nor does it focus on the implementation of ideas. Thus, it doesn't help justify the sociologist's reasoning.

b) Employees are more likely to carry out ideas for improved efficiency that they believe they have participated in generating.

This answer choice directly links employee engagement (Premise 2) with the quicker and more effective implementation of ideas (Conclusion). It strengthens the argument by providing a reason for the effectiveness of engaging employees in the development of ideas. This is the correct answer.

c) Employees are more likely to implement ideas for improved efficiency that derive from a dialogue in which they have participated than from a dialogue in which they have not participated.

This answer choice introduces the concept of ideas deriving from a dialogue, which is not present in the stimulus. The focus of the stimulus is on engaging employees in the development of ideas, not on the origin of the ideas themselves. Thus, this answer choice is out of scope.

d) Employees are more likely to generate good ideas for improved efficiency when they do not feel resentment about the process that attempts to formulate such ideas.

This answer choice focuses on the generation of good ideas, rather than the implementation of ideas. It doesn't help justify the sociologist's reasoning about quicker and more effective implementation.

e) Employees are more likely to resent employers who attempt to implement the employers' rather than the employees' ideas for improved efficiency.

This answer choice focuses on resentment towards employers, which is not the main focus of the sociologist's argument. It doesn't address the implementation of ideas nor the engagement of employees in the development of ideas.

In conclusion, the correct answer is B, as it helps justify the sociologist's reasoning by linking employee engagement with the quicker and more effective implementation of ideas.