The Elaboration Model

Question 1

A logical model for understanding the relationship between two variables by controlling for the effects of a third

Answer 1

The elaboration model

Question 2

a variable that is held constant in an attempt to clarify further the relationship between two other variables (control)

Answer 2

test variable

Question 3

in the elaboration model, this is the relationship between two variables when examined in a subset of cases defined by a third variable

Answer 3

partial relationship

Question 4

in the elaboration model, this is the original relationship between two variables, with no test variable controlled for (without control; one of the partial relationships)
ex. obestiy (IV) –> heart disease (DV)

Answer 4

zero-order relationship

Question 5

Elaboration model step 1

Answer 5

a relationship is observed to exist between two variables

Question 6

Elaboration model step 2

Answer 6

a third variable is held constant by subdividing the cases according to the attributes of this third variable

Question 7

Elaboration model step 3

Answer 7

the original two-variable relationship is recomputed within each of the subgroup

Question 8

Elaboration model step 4

Answer 8

the comparison of the original relationship with the relationships found within each subgroup provides a fuller understanding of the original relationship itself

Question 9

an independent variable that precedes other independent variables in time
eg. High sugar (IV) –> obesity (IV) & heart disease (V) (correlation between obesity and heart disease, both caused by high sugar)

Answer 9

antecedent variable
IV –> IV & V

Question 10

a variable coming between an independent variable and a dependent variable in an explanatory scheme
eg. obesity (IV) –> strain on heart –> heart disease (V)

Answer 10

intervening variable
IV –> IV –> V

Question 11

the initially observed relationship between two variables persists when a control variable is held constant, thereby supporting the idea that the original relationship is genuine
IV –> DV (good)
(CV)

regardless of what test variable is included, the original relationship holds and is not changed significantly

Answer 11

replication

Question 12

the original relationship between two variables is spurious, because the relationship disappears when an antecedent test variable is introduced
IV –> DV (spurious relationship)
(CV)

CV –> IV & DV (IV & DV related because of CV)
(antecedent)

eg ice cream/murder/summer

a relationship that appears to be correlated is shown to be spurious when a test variable is introduced
The test variable has to be shown to be antecedent to both the IV and DV

Answer 12

explanation

Question 13

a control variable is discovered to be the intervening factor through which an independent variable has its effect on a dependent variable
IV –> DV (spurious relationship)
(CV)

IV –> CV –> DV
(intervening)

eg divorce/child acting out/lack of supervision

a relationship that appears to be correlated is shown to be spurious when a test variable is introduced
The test variable has to intervene between the IV and DV
IV 🡪 Test Variable 🡪 DV

Answer 13

interpretation

Question 14

an initially observed relationship between two variables is replicated among some subgroups created by the control variable but not among others
IV –> DV
(CV)

IV & DV go in different directions or one stays the same when CV is introduced

partial relationship is split

Answer 14

specification

Question 15

elaboration paradigm relationships

Answer 15

• replication
• explanation
• interpretation
• specification