Variables

Question 1

Independent Variable

Answer 1

Variable that the researcher manipulates or changes

Question 2

Dependent Variable

Answer 2

Variable that changes as a direct result of manipulating the IV
Variable that the researcher measures

Question 3

Operationalizing Variables

Answer 3

Psychologists are interested in what goes on in people’s minds, we can only see and measure people’s behaviour
Psychologists work out ways of measuring mental processes based on behavioural processes, they use operational definitions of mental processes
Operational definition is a description of a variable given in terms of how it is actually measured

Question 4

Extraneous Variables

Answer 4

In an experiment, other variables may have an effect on the dependent variable
Must control these variables so they don’t have an effect on everyone e.g. time of day, noise, temperature

Question 5

Confounding Variables

Answer 5

Variable that will effect the DV if not controlled, may not be as obvious as an EV as it may only effect one or a few participants e.g. language used