Variables Flashcards
What are variables?
A variable is something that varies.
E.g. How long you sleep each night is a variable; the number of days in a week isn’t, as it is fixed.
In an experiment there will usually be a variable that is manipulated, and another that is affected by the change.
What are dependent variables?
The variable you measure.
Affected by the independent variable.
What are independent variables?
Directly manipulated by the experimenter.
Identify the IV and the DV in Jacobs’ study in memory.
IV: Capacity, digit-span length.
DV: Number of numbers recalled.
Identify the IV and the DV in Peterson and Petersons’ study in memory.
IV: Duration, trigrams and time-span.
DV: Whether they recall 100% of the trigram.
Why must variables be operationalised?
Variables must be operationalised in order to be defined and measured.
How were variables operationalised in Maccoby’s Attachment Theory?
Seeking proximity.
Distress on separation.
Pleasure when reunited.
General orientation of behaviour.
How were variables operationalised in Schaffer and Emerson’s Attachment Theory?
Stranger Anxiety.
Separation Protest.
What are extraneous variables? Give an example.
Other variables that could affect the DV are controlled so that they do not vary across any of the experimental conditions or between participants.
For example, if researchers wished to investigate the effect of background music (Condition 1) or silence (Condition 2) on homework performance using two classes, they would have to control a number of extraneous variables, including age, homework difficulty, etc.
If these were all controlled, the results would be trustworthy.
However, if the participants in Condition 1 were brighter than those in Condition 2, intelligence would be a confounding variable.
The researchers could not then be sure whether differences in homework performance were due to the presence of the music or intelligence.
Results would be confounded and worthless.
What are three main types of extraneous variables?
Participant, situational, and experimental variables.
What are participant variables?
Concerns factors such as participants’ age and intelligence.
What are situational variables?
Concern the experimental setting and surrounding environment.
For example, temperature and noise levels.
What are experimental variables?
Concerns changes in the personality, appearance and conduct of the researcher.
For example, female researchers may gain different results from male ones.
State 2 examples of situational extraneous variables.
Temperature.
Weather.
Time.
Lighting.
State 2 examples of participant extraneous variables.
Mood.
Hunger.
Comfort.
Age.
Intelligence.
View of experimenter.
