1. Suppose that a country seizes a piece of territory with great mineral wealth that is claimed by a neighboring country, with a concomitant risk of failure involving moderate but easily tolerable harm in the long run. Given the information in the passage, the author would most likely say that(A) the country’s actions are consistent with previously accepted views of the psychology of risk-taking
(B) the new research findings indicate that the country from which the territory has been seized probably weighs the risk factors involved in the situation similarly to the way in which they are weighed by the aggressor nation
(C) in spite of surface appearances to the contrary, the new research findings suggest that the objective value of the potential gain is overridden by the risks
(D) the facts of the situation show that the government is motivated by factors other than objective calculation of the measurable risks and probable benefits
(E) the country’s leaders most likely subjectively perceive the territory as having been taken from their country in the past
2. The question in lines 24-27 functions primarily as(A) the introduction to a thought experiment whose results the author expects will vary widely among different people
(B) a rhetorical question whose assumed answer is in conflict with the previously accepted view concerning risk-taking behavior
(C) the basis for an illustration of how the previously accepted view concerning risk taking behavior applies accurately to some types of situations
(D) a suggestion that the discrepancies between subjective and objective valuations of possible decision outcomes are more illusive than real
(E) a transitional device to smooth an otherwise abrupt switch from discussion of previous theories to discussion of some previously unaccepted research findings
3. It can most reasonably be inferred from the passage that the author would agree with which one of the following statements?(A) When states try to regain losses through risky conflict, they generally are misled by inadequate or inaccurate information as to the risks that they run in doing so.
(B) Government decision makers subjectively evaluate the acceptability of risks involving national assets in much the same way that they would evaluate risks involving personal assets.
(C) A new method for predicting and mediating international conflict has emerged from a synthesis of the fields of economics and psychology.
(D) Truly rational decision making is a rare phenomenon in international crises and can, ironically, lead to severe consequences for those who engage in it.
(E) Contrary to previous assumptions, people are more likely to take substantial risks when their subjective assessments of expected benefits match or exceed the objectively measured costs.
4. The passage can be most accurately described as(A) a psychological analysis of the motives involved in certain types of collective decision making in the presence of conflict
(B) a presentation of a psychological hypothesis which is then subjected to a political test case
(C) a suggestion that psychologists should incorporate the findings of political scientists into their research
(D) an examination of some new psychological considerations regarding risk and their application to another field of inquiry
(E) a summary of two possible avenues for understanding international crises and conflicts
5. The passage most clearly suggests that the author would agree with which one of the following statements?(A) Researchers have previously been too willing to accept the claims that subjects make about their preferred choices in risk-related decision problems.
(B) There is inadequate research support for the hypothesis that except when a gamble is the only available means for averting an otherwise certain loss, people typically are averse to risk-taking.
(C) It can reasonably be argued that the risk that Britain accepted in its 1982 conflict with Argentina outweighed the potential objectively measurable benefit of that venture.
(D) The new findings suggest that because of the subjective elements involved, governmental strategies concerning risks of loss in international crises will remain incomprehensible to outside observers.
(E) Moderate risks in cases involving unavoidable losses are often taken on the basis of reasoning that diverges markedly from that which was studied in the recent investigations.