Data from a U.S. survey showed that boys whose parents were divorced and separated had more behavioral problems than boys living with both biological parents. Evidence that this finding held up when the researchers controlled for social class and race would
A) clarify the direction of influence.
B) signify that the relationship is statistically significant.
C) strengthen the inference that the relationship is nonspurious.
D) prove that divorce or separation leads to behavioral problems.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Controlling for social class and race helps to rule out these variables as alternative explanations, thus strengthening the inference that the relationship between parental divorce/separation and behavioral problems is not due to these other factors, making it more likely to be nonspurious.