Some studies suggest that listening to Mozart can increase a person's spatial reasoning abilities but only if that person likes Mozart. The preference for Mozart in this study is the:
A)Independent variable
B)Dependent variable
C)Mediating variable
D)Moderating variable

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The preference for Mozart is a moderating variable.
Moderating variables are used when researchers are interested in things like who the individuals are that perform better in spatial reasoning tasks when listening to Mozart? They are interested in changes in relationships between independent and dependent variables. Mediating variables explain the relationship between independent and dependent variables. For example, arousal might explain why people tend to perform better on spatial reasoning tasks after listening to Mozart. Mediating variables do not explain for whom the relationship between the independent and dependent variable exists the way moderating variables do.

Some Studies Suggest That Listening to Mozart Can Increase a Person's