GRE General TestAnalytical WritingHard
A company is considering implementing a mandatory 'digital detox' policy, requiring employees to disconnect from all work-related digital devices for one hour during their workday. The CEO argues that this policy will improve employee well-being and productivity by reducing stress. Which of the following, if true, would provide the strongest evidence that the CEO's plan is unlikely to achieve its intended outcome?
- ASome employees express concern that an hour-long break might disrupt their workflow and make it harder to catch up later.
- BThe company's industry requires constant digital communication and quick responses to client needs.
- CMany employees report that their primary source of work-related stress is the high volume of tasks, not the digital devices themselves.
- DA similar policy in another company led to a slight increase in employee satisfaction but no measurable change in productivity.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Many employees report that their primary source of work-related stress is the high volume of tasks, not the digital devices themselves.
The CEO's argument hinges on the assumption that digital devices are the primary cause of stress. If the actual primary cause of stress is the volume of tasks, then removing digital access for an hour will not address the root cause and thus won't significantly improve well-being or productivity, directly undermining the CEO's logic.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This expresses a concern about workflow disruption, which is a potential negative side effect, but doesn't as directly invalidate the premise that a detox could reduce *stress* or improve *well-being* as option B does.
- B. While this highlights a practical challenge, it doesn't directly refute the idea that a detox *could* reduce stress if implemented; it just makes implementation difficult or costly.
- D. A slight increase in satisfaction suggests some positive impact, and no *measurable* change in productivity doesn't mean no change, just no *measurable* one. This doesn't strongly suggest failure.
Evaluating Causal Claims
To evaluate a causal claim, assess whether the proposed cause is truly responsible for the effect and if alternative causes or confounding factors exist.
- Identify the proposed cause and effect.
- Consider if the cause is necessary and sufficient for the effect.
- Look for alternative explanations or intervening variables.
Memory trick: Cause and Effect: Is it really A causing B, or something else entirely?