Key terms - quick test

Question 1

Independent variable

Answer 1

Variables that are manipulated to see if it will cause a change to the dependent variable

Question 2

Dependent variable

Answer 2

Variables that are measured in an experiment

Question 3

Confounding variable

Answer 3

Variables that need to be controlled as they could affect the dependent variable, even though the experimenter does not want them to

Question 4

Control group

Answer 4

A group of experiment participants that are not exposed to the independent variable

Question 5

Order effects

Answer 5

The effects that confounding variables have on results

Question 6

Demand characteristics

Answer 6

Behaviours exhibited by participants in order to please the experimenter

Question 7

Repeated measures design

Answer 7

Participant tested on all the conditions of the experiment and then their scores are compared with one another’s

Question 8

Independent measures design

Answer 8

Participants exposed to one condition and then their scores are compared to other participant’s scores who were exposed to the other condition

Question 9

Matched pairs design

Answer 9

Participants in one condition are matched with a participant in another condition based on particular characteristics (e.g. a measured level of aggression)

Question 10

Counter balancing

Answer 10

The way experimenters control order effects - they change the order of participation between 2 groups

Question 11

Ecological validity

Answer 11

Likeness of an experiment to a real life situation

Question 12

Two tailed hypothesis

Answer 12

A hypothesis that predicts there will be a difference but that it could go either way