Statement: “Performing complex mental tasks while driving is dangerous.” — a psychologist. Assumptions: I. Increased cognitive load reduces the driver’s ability to detect hazards and react safely. II. Hands-free phone conversations can be as safe—or as risky—as talking to a passenger, depending on the conversational demands. III. Human insecurity is a man-made problem.
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AOnly I and II
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BOnly II and III
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COnly I and III
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DAll I, II and III
Answer
Correct Answer: Only I and II
Explanation
Introduction / Context:The statement asserts a general safety principle: cognitive distraction impairs driving. We must identify which assumptions logically underpin this claim among the given options.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- I posits the mechanism: high mental workload → degraded hazard perception/response.
- II gives an applied comparison: risk equivalence between hands-free calls and in-car conversations depends on cognitive demand, not the device.
- III is unrelated to driving psychology.
Concept / Approach:To say “complex mental tasks while driving are dangerous,” one must accept that cognitive load interferes with driving performance (I). The hands-free vs passenger comparison (II) is a common implication used to counter the notion that “hands-free is safe”; it supports the idea that mental demand (not just manual) drives risk, coherently undergirding the general claim.
Step-by-Step Solution:1) I articulates the core causal channel; without it, the claim lacks mechanism.2) II reinforces that mental task demand, irrespective of modality, can impair safety, which is consistent with and supportive of the thesis.3) III is irrelevant; it does not bear on distraction or driving risk.
Verification / Alternative check:The generalization remains credible when risk is tied to cognitive demand across contexts — precisely what II illustrates.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:Options including III bring in an unrelated theme; options excluding I miss the central mechanism.
Final Answer:Only I and II.