Independent and Dependent Variables Instructions: For each of the following scen
ID: 3493542 • Letter: I
Question
Independent and Dependent Variables Instructions: For each of the following scenarios, identify the independent and dependent variables in the boxes provided. If you wish, try to generate an operational definition for each of the dependent variables. Remember, for most of psychology, an operational definition allows us to translate the concepts into some type of numerical score. Research Scenario Independent Variable Dependent Variable 1. A social psychologist measures the amount of time it takes somcone to assist a stranded motorist in different parts of 2. A developmental psychologist counts the number of error that children of different ages make during a conservation of mass test 3. An environmental psychologist surveys young and old adults on their opinion about a new multi-story office building 4. A clinical psychologist studies the depression scores of people in her therapy group and the scores of those on the waiting list for the S. A cognitive psychologist measures the number of items remembered when presented in either a quiet or noisy condition 6. An educational psychologist works in three different classrooms to see if the number of windows affects student rformance in the class 7. A physiological psychologist gives a stimulant or a depressant to a rat and measure the number of open-field exploration boxes entered. 8. A counseling psychologist working with normal and dysfunctional couples gives each group the Bem-Sex-Role Inventory 9. A school psychologist gives the Strong Campbell Interest Inventory to a group of students planning to go to college and those not planning to go to 10. A behavioral psychologist counts the spoken by novice and number of "ums Lprofessional ional speakers.Explanation / Answer
Following is the answer to your major question regarding the identification of the independent and dependent variable in each situation:
An important aspect to identify an independent variable is that it is the variable whose effect is being studied and it is the variable that is being changed to see the effect on the dependent variable. Now, the dependent variable is the one that is actually being tested and that is dependent on the independent variable. The dependent variable is being measured after variations made in the independent variable. From this perspective, here are the independent and dependent variables in all the cases –
Situation 1
Independent Variable: The part or location where people stay is the independent variable, as the social psychologist is controlling and changing it to study its effect on the dependent variable.
Dependent Variable: The eagerness or willingness of people to help a stranded motorist is the dependent variable, as it is being measured by calculating the amount of time they take to help the motorist. There may be a change in this variable due to the impact of changed locations where people stay.
Situation 2
Independent Variable: Age is the independent variable, as the developmental psychologist is controlling it by taking children of different ages to perform the test.
Dependent Variable: Errors made on the test is the dependent variable that is being measured as an effect of age variation.
Situation 3
Independent Variable: Type of adults (young/old) is the independent variable whose impact is being studied on the difference in their opinions.
Dependent Variable: Opinion difference is the dependent variable that is being measured in the context of a new multi-story office building. It is being checked whether a change in the type of adult being surveyed makes any difference to the opinion they carry regarding the given matter.
Situation 4
Independent Variable: Therapy is the independent variable here, as it is being varied by the use of two groups, one that has received the therapy and one that is waiting to receive it.
Dependent Variable: Depression is the dependent variable here, as the result of therapy on depression is being studied. Depression is being measured by the depression scores two groups achieve.
Situation 5
Independent Variable: The type of environment or condition is the independent variable, as it is being changed and controlled.
Dependent Variable: Memory or recall is the dependent variable, as the study involves the effect of a change in condition on the subject’s memory or power to recall.
Situation 6
Independent Variable: The level of ventilation due to the number of windows in a classroom is the independent variable, which is being controlled by the use of three different classrooms having different number of windows. The effect of having different ventilation levels is being observed on student performance.
Dependent Variable: Student performance is the dependent variable, as a change in it is being measured due to the impact of changed number of windows in a classroom or the changed level of ventilation.
Situation 7
Independent Variable: The brain function is the independent variable, which is being controlled by either giving a stimulant or a depressant.
Dependent Variable: The physical activity of rats is the dependent variable, which is being observed and measured due to the effect of changed brain function.
Situation 8
Independent Variable: Relationship functionality in a couple is the independent variable, as it is being controlled by taking two groups of couples – normal and dysfunctional.
Dependent Variable: Gender role perceptions (measured using the inventory) make the dependent variable. The counseling psychologist is studying how relationship functionality affects the gender role perceptions in couples.
Situation 9
Independent Variable: The preference of students with regard to attending college is the independent variable, as it is being controlled and changed by introducing two groups – one planning to attend college and another not planning to attend college.
Dependent Variable: Career interests of students make the dependent variable being measured through the inventory. It is being observed how the students’ preference of attending college is impacting their career interests. Based on the results, students can receive the right career guidance.
Situation 10
Independent Variable: The experience of speakers is the independent variable, as it is being controlled using novice and professional/experienced speakers. It is being observed how the change in experience level affects the thinking process of speakers.
Dependent Variable: The interruptions in thinking or the thought process of speakers is the dependent variable. It is being studied by measuring the frequency of pause word or interrupted number of thoughts.