What reasoning error is displayed when Jack believes he will get a scholarship purely because he works hard?

The situation described involves Jack assuming that his hard work alone guarantees him a scholarship, which shows a classic case of wishful thinking. This reasoning error occurs when someone believes that simply desiring or hoping for a particular outcome, such as receiving a scholarship, is sufficient to achieve it, without considering other necessary factors such as academic performance, the competitiveness of the scholarship pool, or the specific criteria set by scholarship committees.

In this scenario, Jack's belief may overlook the reality that many students work hard but may not receive scholarships due to other factors beyond effort. Therefore, his conclusion is based more on an optimistic hope rather than a realistic assessment of what it takes to earn a scholarship. Wishful thinking can lead to unmet expectations, as it neglects the need for a practical approach to achieving goals, which often requires a combination of hard work, qualifications, and sometimes even luck.