Variables

• What is a variable?

  Something that varies in people
• What are examples of variables?

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Concentration
  • Personality
  • Memory ability
  • Intelligence
  • Reaction time
• What are the two main types of variables in an experiment?

  Independent variable (IV) and dependent variable (DV)
• What is the role of the independent variable (IV) in an experiment?

  It is changed to observe effects on the DV
• What does the dependent variable (DV) represent in an experiment?

  Data from participants' behavior measured by the experimenter
• What is the aim of establishing a cause and effect relationship in experiments?

  To determine how the IV affects the DV results
• What are the two conditions of the independent variable (IV)?

  The experimental condition and the control condition
• What does operationalization of variables mean?

  Turning variables into a measurable form
• What are extraneous variables (EVs)?

  Anything that could influence participant behavior
• What are the two main types of extraneous variables?

  Situational variables and participant variables
• What are situational variables?

  Factors in the environment that can affect behavior
• What are examples of situational variables?

  • Time of day differences
  • Weather changes
  • Noise distractions
• How can situational variables be controlled?

  By standardizing the environment for both conditions
• What are participant variables?

  Characteristics of participants that can affect behavior
• What are examples of participant variables?

  • Age differences between groups
  • Experience levels of participants
  • Mood variations among participants
  • Intelligence differences in groups
• How can participant variables be controlled?

  By using similar participants in each condition
• What is a confounding variable?

  A variable that systematically varies with the IV
• Why do extraneous variables (EVs) and confounding variables (CVs) matter?

  They can lower the accuracy of the study
• What can extraneous variables (EVs) become if not controlled?

  Confounding variables (CVs)