Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 100%

Researchers are exploring affect contagion in mothers and infants... They conclude that mothers can pass stress on to their infants.

Which of the following is the independent variable in the study?

Rationale

Type of feedback is the independent variable in the study.

In experimental research, the independent variable is the factor that is manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable. Here, the type of feedback provided during the study is what researchers change to assess its impact on the heart rates of infants and mothers.

A (Type of feedback) CORRECT

This choice represents the independent variable since it is what the researchers alter in the study to determine how it affects the heart rates of the subjects. By varying the type of feedback, researchers can analyze the resulting changes in heart rates, thereby establishing a cause-and-effect relationship.

B (The topic of the speech) YOUR ANSWER

The topic of the speech is not an independent variable; it may be a contextual factor but does not represent a manipulation intended to gauge its impact on heart rates. Instead, it serves as a background detail rather than a variable that is systematically varied in the study.

C (Infants’ heart rates after being reunited with their mothers) YOUR ANSWER

Infants' heart rates are the dependent variable in this study, as they are the outcomes being measured to assess the effects of the independent variable, which is the type of feedback. The heart rates depend on the feedback type rather than influencing it.

D (Mothers’ heart rates after the task) YOUR ANSWER

Similar to choice C, mothers' heart rates are also a dependent variable. Researchers measure these rates to observe the effects of the different types of feedback provided, rather than manipulating this variable in the study.

E (Ages of mothers and infants) YOUR ANSWER

The ages of mothers and infants are demographic variables that do not change during the study. They may provide relevant context or control for the study but are not manipulated to observe their effect, thereby rendering them irrelevant as independent variables.

Conclusion

In this study, the independent variable is the type of feedback, as it is the factor that researchers intentionally manipulate to observe its effects on the heart rates of infants and mothers. Understanding the distinction between independent and dependent variables is crucial for interpreting research findings accurately, ensuring a clear understanding of cause-and-effect relationships within the study.

Which of the following is the independent variable in the study?

Type of feedback is the independent variable in the study.

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