Q3 - Cognitive Psychologist: In a recent survey

[bbirdwell]

First, we must ask "What are the two facts that seem to oppose, surprise, or contradict?"
Here, the argument rather clearly indicates these in the sentence beginning "Despite."

So, the question is, "Why do the citizens want to be better than G rather than have a higher GDP?"

(A) This doesn't help us answer the question as to why they prefer to be ahead of G rather than have a higher GDP.

(B) This does not help explain the citizens' preference.

(C) Is out of scope.

(D) Is irrelevant.

(E) Gives us a reason why the citizens prefer scenario (1) -- because they value being more powerful than Country G.

[slimz89]

I agree the rest of the answer are easily eliminated. I'm am slightly confused as to how E truly answers why country F would prefer scenario 1 over scenario 2. Both scenarios reflect that country F is more powerful than G. So why did F choose one scenario over the other?