Wood and colleagues (2009) examined the value of self-affirmation. In a typical study, participants either engaged or did not engage in self-affirmations. Later, their current self-esteem was assessed. Which of the following alternatives correctly names and identifies the variables in this study?
A)independent variable - self-affirmations; dependent variable - self-esteem scores
B)independent variable - self-esteem scores; dependent variable - self-affirmations
C)experimental variable - self-affirmations; control variable - self-esteem scores
D)experimental variable - self-esteem scores; control variable - self-affirmations

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The independent variable is self-affirmations as participants are either engaging or not engaging in them. The dependent variable is self-esteem scores as it is being assessed later on from the participants. Choice B is incorrect as the independent variable should be what is being manipulated in the study - in this case, it is not the self-esteem scores. Choice C and D are incorrect as they incorrectly identify the variables. The experimental variable should be the variable being manipulated (independent variable) and the control variable is a variable that is being held constant throughout the study (not applicable in this study).

Wood and Colleagues (2009) Examined the Value of Self-Affirmation