The Experimental Method (RM P2)

Question 1

What is an Independent Variable?

Answer 1

The variable that is manipulated (controlled)

Question 2

What is a Dependant Variable?

Answer 2

The variable that is measured (to see if it has been affected)

Question 3

What is an Extraneous Variable?

Answer 3

• Anything (other than the IV) which might affect the DV
• Can be controlled by the experimenter

Question 4

e.g. extraneous variable

Answer 4

• Age of participants
• Time limits for tasks
• Content of word lists

Question 5

What is a Confounding Variable?

Answer 5

• Variables that aren’t controlled for in an experiment
• Do affect the results (ruin them)

Question 6

e.g. confounding variable

Answer 6

• Weather
• Mood of participants
• Personalities
• Individual differences