Ken is planning on studying the influence of intelligence on the ability to recall events from the 1960s. If Ken does not account for variables such as age that could also influence one's ability to recall these events, age could be considered a(n) __________
A) random variable.
B) dependent variable.
C) confounding variable.
D) independent variable.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A confounding variable is a variable that is correlated with both the independent and dependent variables, making it difficult to determine the true relationship between them. In this case, age could be a confounding variable because it is correlated with both intelligence and the ability to recall events from the 1960s. If Ken does not account for age in his study, it could skew his results and he may falsely attribute any observed effects to intelligence, when it could actually be due to age.

Ken Is Planning on Studying the Influence of Intelligence on the Ability