Statement — The college administration has instructed all students to stop using cell phones within the college premises. Assumptions — I. Students will stop using cell phones on campus in response to the instruction. II. Students may continue to use cell phones on campus despite the instruction.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: if only Assumption I is implicit

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
An administrative instruction is issued to influence behavior. For the instruction to be a sensible step toward the intended outcome, the issuer must believe that a meaningful portion of students will comply. Assuming that most will continue to violate the rule undercuts the utility of issuing the instruction and is not a necessary presupposition.



Given Data / Assumptions:


  • Directive: stop using cell phones within the premises.
  • I: expectation of significant compliance.
  • II: expectation of ongoing noncompliance despite the order.


Concept / Approach:
Statement–assumption analysis focuses on minimal beliefs that make the statement rational. Compliance is necessary for the rule to achieve its aim. Anticipating continued violation is not required; the policy is issued to reduce or eliminate that behavior.



Step-by-Step Solution:


1) Map instruction to goal: restrict usage -> better discipline or attention.2) For this to work, students must respond by reducing usage (I).3) Assuming continued usage (II) is contrary to the point and not necessary.


Verification / Alternative check:
Even partial compliance validates the rationale. The instruction does not rely on predicting failure.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:


Only II: contradicts the logic of issuing the rule.Either/Both: include an unnecessary pessimistic assumption.Neither: incorrect, because some expected compliance must exist.


Common Pitfalls:
Equating minimal required compliance with perfect compliance; the assumption is that compliance will be enough to matter.



Final Answer:
Only Assumption I is implicit.

More Questions from Statement and Assumption

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion