Christine decided, at the last minute, to try a new route to work.On her drive in, she hit a deep pothole, causing one of her car tires to go flat.According to research on counterfactual reasoning, her decision to try a new route ____________ the likelihood that she engaged in counterfactual reasoning.
A) increased
B) decreased
C) had no effect on
D) eliminated

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Counterfactual reasoning is the tendency for people to imagine alternative outcomes or scenarios to a situation, especially when that situation did not end well. In this case, Christine's decision to try a new route resulted in a negative outcome (a flat tire). Therefore, it is more likely that she will engage in counterfactual reasoning and imagine what could have happened if she had taken her usual route instead. Hence, her decision to try a new route increased the likelihood that she engaged in counterfactual reasoning.

Christine Decided, at the Last Minute, to Try a New