In 2009, two northwest airline pilots overflew their minneapolis destination by 150 miles because they were focused on their laptops and in conversation. they also ignored air traffic controllers' attempts to reach them. what may have explained this potentially dangerous error?

cocktail party effects

Explanation:

The situation is known as cocktail party effects

When the airline pilots overflew for his destination ignoring the air traffic controllers' attempts to reach them is known as cocktail party effects.

Cocktail party effect is the ability of the person to focus on the one thing by ignoring the other noise in the surrounding.

so, due to the Cocktail party effect, the potential error was committed by the pilot.

are there actual statements because if not my answer would be: that using the five senses the author can create a sense of worth in an object to appeal to the reader and create meaning.

explanation:

allergens: overstimulate the nerve system

neurotics: attack nerve cells

mutagens: damage or otherwise alter dna sequence

generators: cause defects during growth and development  

carcinogens: cause unchecked cell growth

i hope you get the idea according to me these are the effects that happened.