Question

The commercial news media emphasize exceptional events such as airplane crashes at the expense of those such as automobile accidents, which occur far more frequently and represent a far greater risk to the public. Yet the public tends to interpret the degree of emphasis the news media give to these occurrences as indicating the degree of risk they represent. If the statements above are true, which one of the following conclusions is most strongly supported by them? (A) Print media, such as newspapers and magazines, are a better source of information than are broadcast media. (B) The emphasis given in the commercial news media to major catastrophes is dictated by the public's taste for the extraordinary. (C) Events over which people feel they have no control are generally perceived as more dangerous than those which people feel they can avert or avoid. (D) Where commercial news media constitute the dominant source of information, public perception of risk does not reflect actual risk. (E) A massive outbreak of cholera will be covered more extensively by the news media than will the occurrence of a rarer but less serious disease.

Short answer

Option (D) is most strongly supported by the premises.

Step-by-step solution

Analyze the Premises

The statements indicate that the commercial news media highlight exceptional events over more common ones. This emphasis causes the public to misinterpret the degree of risk associated with different events, as they associate the emphasis with the magnitude of risk.

Evaluate the Option Matching Premises

Option (D) states that when commercial news media are the main information source, public perception of risk does not align with actual risk. This aligns with the argument that the media's emphasis skews public perception of risk.

Assess Other Options

Option (A) compares different media types, which is not addressed in the premises. Option (B) suggests media choices are driven by public interest, which is not explicitly stated. Option (C) refers to control over events, not emphasis or perception as described. Option (E) focuses on media coverage of diseases, which is a specific case not directly concluded from the premises.

Conclusion

Option (D) is supported by the premises, as it summarizes their impact on public perception. The other options either introduce unrelated ideas or are not strongly supported by the given information.

Key concepts

Media Influence

The news media have a profound impact on shaping how we perceive the world. When news outlets focus on extraordinary events like airplane crashes, they do so as they captivate public interest. Such dramatic events are presented at the expense of more frequent incidents, like automobile accidents, which also bear significant risk. This choice in focus and presentation greatly influences how the public understands and reacts to different risks.
Because of this focus, people often underestimate the risks that are less sensational but more common in daily life. For instance, car accidents are statistically far more likely to occur than airplane crashes. However, because crashes make headlines, the public might feel that they represent a greater risk. This highlights the power that media holds in shaping perceived realities through the stories they choose to tell.

Public Perception

Public perception is often molded by what they see and hear in the media. When the news emphasizes extraordinary events, it can lead to a skewed understanding of real-world risks. This phenomenon is not restricted to any single medium; it affects broadcast and print media alike.
This misalignment between perceived and actual risk suggests that when commercial media is the principal source of information, it impacts how people see threats in their lives. For example:

• Airplane crashes are seen as more dangerous due to intense media coverage, despite being rare.
• Car accidents, though frequent, are perceived as less risky as they receive less media attention.

Ultimately, this demonstrates the media's role in creating a distorted view of risk, which can impact the public's decision-making and sense of safety.

Risk Assessment

Risk assessment is the process by which individuals evaluate the potential hazards they face. However, media coverage often skews this assessment. People typically rely on media for information about potential dangers, but the emphasis on rare but dramatic events can distort their understanding.
When people equate media emphasis with risk magnitude, they might:

• Overestimate the threat of dramatic events covered extensively.
• Underestimate the risk of everyday dangers like car accidents.

This misunderstanding can lead individuals to make poor decisions regarding their safety. Furthermore, policymakers might allocate resources ineffectively when public perception does not align with the actual risks. Therefore, understanding the difference between media portrayals and reality is crucial for accurate risk assessment.

LSAT Preparation

Preparing for the LSAT involves honing various skills, including logical reasoning. Understanding how arguments are structured and the reasoning behind them is key, especially when analyzing media influence and risk perceptions.
The problem associated with media coverage is a typical example of reasoning challenges you'll encounter on the LSAT. To prepare effectively:

• Practice identifying premises and conclusions in articles.
• Understand common logical fallacies, like misinterpreting media emphasis as risk indicators.
• Apply this understanding to answer questions about real-life issues.

By familiarizing yourself with these reasoning patterns, you will improve your ability to think critically and logically, which will be invaluable not just for the LSAT but also in navigating complex real-world media and risk scenarios.