Question:
RESULTS OF TWO SURVEYS OF OPINIONS REGARDING THE EFFECTS OF SCIENCE ON HUMAN SOCIETY
A table shows survey responses for August 1991 and August 1992.
- Mostly beneficial: 25% (1991) \(\rightarrow\) 81% (1992)
- Equally harmful and beneficial: 37% (1991) \(\rightarrow\) 9% (1992)
- Mostly harmful: 20% (1991) \(\rightarrow\) 7% (1992)
- No opinion: 18% (1991) \(\rightarrow\) 3% (1992)
Which of the following, if true, contributes most to explaining the shift in opinions about the effects of science on human society?
RESULTS OF TWO SURVEYS OF OPINIONS REGARDING THE EFFECTS OF SCIENCE ON HUMAN SOCIETY
A table shows survey responses for August 1991 and August 1992.
- Mostly beneficial: 25% (1991) \(\rightarrow\) 81% (1992)
- Equally harmful and beneficial: 37% (1991) \(\rightarrow\) 9% (1992)
- Mostly harmful: 20% (1991) \(\rightarrow\) 7% (1992)
- No opinion: 18% (1991) \(\rightarrow\) 3% (1992)
Which of the following, if true, contributes most to explaining the shift in opinions about the effects of science on human society?
A table shows survey responses for August 1991 and August 1992.
- Mostly beneficial: 25% (1991) \(\rightarrow\) 81% (1992)
- Equally harmful and beneficial: 37% (1991) \(\rightarrow\) 9% (1992)
- Mostly harmful: 20% (1991) \(\rightarrow\) 7% (1992)
- No opinion: 18% (1991) \(\rightarrow\) 3% (1992)
Which of the following, if true, contributes most to explaining the shift in opinions about the effects of science on human society?
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In "explain the data" questions, always focus on the key features of the data. Here, the key features are the magnitude of the shift (it's huge) and the timing (between Aug 1991 and Aug 1992). The correct answer must be able to account for both.
Updated On: Oct 4, 2025
- The surveys questioned people who regularly watch prime-time television, and an innovative weekly prime-time television series called "Wonders of Science" had been steadily winning viewers since its widely seen premiere in January 1992.
- The surveys questioned college-educated adults, and a report called "The State of the Nation's Schools," published in June 1992, noted an increase in students' interest in science courses since 1982.
- The surveys were conducted in a suburban shopping area near a company that ceased operation in April 1992 as a result of lawsuits arising from unexpected toxic effects of the company's products.
- Both survey forms were mailed to equally large samples of the population; after returning the 1991 survey forms, respondents were sent discount coupons for food products, and after returning the 1992 survey forms, respondents were sent a pamphlet on recycling.
- The surveys questioned first-year college students across the country, and the people who did the questioning were all research scientists.
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks for a plausible explanation for a specific set of data. The data shows a dramatic shift in public opinion toward a more positive view of science between August 1991 and August 1992. We need to find an event or factor that could have caused this shift within that specific timeframe.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
The key is the timing. The shift is massive and occurs in a one-year period. We are looking for a significant, positive, science-related event that occurred between the two surveys and could have influenced the specific population that was surveyed.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- The data shows a huge increase in the "Mostly beneficial" category (from 25% to 81%).
- (A) This option provides a very strong explanation. It identifies the survey group ("people who regularly watch prime-time television") and points to a major, relevant event ("an innovative weekly prime-time television series called 'Wonders of Science'"). Crucially, the timing fits perfectly: the show premiered in January 1992, exactly between the two surveys. A popular and positive TV show about science could plausibly cause a massive shift in the opinions of regular TV viewers.
- (B) The report was published in June 1992, which fits the timeline, but an increase in student interest since 1982 is a long-term trend and is unlikely to cause such a sudden, dramatic shift in the opinions of "college-educated adults."
- (C) This describes a negative event related to science/industry (a company closing due to toxic effects). This would be expected to cause a negative shift in opinion, the opposite of what was observed.
- (D) This describes the methodology of the survey and incentives given to respondents. It doesn't provide an external reason for why their opinions about science would change so drastically.
- (E) The fact that the questioners were scientists might introduce bias, but it doesn't explain the change from one year to the next, assuming the methodology was the same both years.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The premiere and growing popularity of a positive television show about science in the interval between the two surveys provides the most direct and plausible explanation for the dramatic positive shift in opinion among a TV-watching audience.
This question asks for a plausible explanation for a specific set of data. The data shows a dramatic shift in public opinion toward a more positive view of science between August 1991 and August 1992. We need to find an event or factor that could have caused this shift within that specific timeframe.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
The key is the timing. The shift is massive and occurs in a one-year period. We are looking for a significant, positive, science-related event that occurred between the two surveys and could have influenced the specific population that was surveyed.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- The data shows a huge increase in the "Mostly beneficial" category (from 25% to 81%).
- (A) This option provides a very strong explanation. It identifies the survey group ("people who regularly watch prime-time television") and points to a major, relevant event ("an innovative weekly prime-time television series called 'Wonders of Science'"). Crucially, the timing fits perfectly: the show premiered in January 1992, exactly between the two surveys. A popular and positive TV show about science could plausibly cause a massive shift in the opinions of regular TV viewers.
- (B) The report was published in June 1992, which fits the timeline, but an increase in student interest since 1982 is a long-term trend and is unlikely to cause such a sudden, dramatic shift in the opinions of "college-educated adults."
- (C) This describes a negative event related to science/industry (a company closing due to toxic effects). This would be expected to cause a negative shift in opinion, the opposite of what was observed.
- (D) This describes the methodology of the survey and incentives given to respondents. It doesn't provide an external reason for why their opinions about science would change so drastically.
- (E) The fact that the questioners were scientists might introduce bias, but it doesn't explain the change from one year to the next, assuming the methodology was the same both years.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The premiere and growing popularity of a positive television show about science in the interval between the two surveys provides the most direct and plausible explanation for the dramatic positive shift in opinion among a TV-watching audience.
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