Most citizens of Country F want their country to be more economically powerful than Country G. Most citizens of Country F want their country to have a GNP higher than $120 billion. Most citizens of Country F believe GNP is a poor measure of a nation's economic health. Most citizens of Country F believe that their personal welfare is unconnected to GNP.
Cognitive psychologist: In a recent survey, citizens of Country F were asked to state which one of the following two scenarios they would prefer: (1) Country F is the world economic leader, with a gross national product (GNP) of $100 billion, and Country G is second, with a GNP of $90 billion; or (2) Country G is the economic leader, with a GNP of $120 billion, and Country F is second, with a GNP of $110 billion. Despite the fact that, under scenario 2, Country F would have a higher GNP than under scenario 1, the majority of respondents stated that they preferred scenario 1.
Which one of the following, if true, would most help to explain the survey results described by the cognitive psychologist?