Psy 1010 Chapter 1 Ra
Xiaokun Chen
Lora Harpster
PSY 1010
01.29.2014
As the psychology is a subject of science, experiment is important part of this subject. Before designing an experiment, we have to design an experiment and we need to confirm the dependent variable and independent variable.
For each of the following scenarios, identify the independent and the dependent variables and explain your choices.
1.
Joan is collecting data on gender differences (male, female) in the ability to empathize.
In this case, the independent variable is the gender and the dependent variable is the ability to empathize. Because this study is to find the difference between male and female, then the gender is the independent variable, which will be controlled by Joan.
2.
An experimenter collects data on the effectiveness of types of humor (slapstick comedy, dark humor, no humor) on the healing process, but makes sure that participants have equal senses of humor prior to the study.
In this case, the independent variable is types of humor and the dependent variable is the effectiveness of healing process. Humor sense will be helpful to healing process, but different types will have difference effectiveness, so the independent variable is the types of humor.
3.
David investigates the effects of temperature (really hot classroom, really cold classroom) on exam performance.
In this case, the independent variable is the temperature, and the dependent variable is the exam performance. During the experiment, David will change the temperature of the
room and investigate the performance of the each player, so the independent variable is the temperature.
4.
A drag racer wants to see if the speed of a race car can be altered depending on type of fuel used, either alcohol, nitrous, or gasoline.
In this case, the independent variable is type of fuel, and the dependent variable is the speed of the car. The word “depend on” has showed that type of the fuel will decide the speed of
Lora Harpster
PSY 1010
01.29.2014
As the psychology is a subject of science, experiment is important part of this subject. Before designing an experiment, we have to design an experiment and we need to confirm the dependent variable and independent variable.
For each of the following scenarios, identify the independent and the dependent variables and explain your choices.
1.
Joan is collecting data on gender differences (male, female) in the ability to empathize.
In this case, the independent variable is the gender and the dependent variable is the ability to empathize. Because this study is to find the difference between male and female, then the gender is the independent variable, which will be controlled by Joan.
2.
An experimenter collects data on the effectiveness of types of humor (slapstick comedy, dark humor, no humor) on the healing process, but makes sure that participants have equal senses of humor prior to the study.
In this case, the independent variable is types of humor and the dependent variable is the effectiveness of healing process. Humor sense will be helpful to healing process, but different types will have difference effectiveness, so the independent variable is the types of humor.
3.
David investigates the effects of temperature (really hot classroom, really cold classroom) on exam performance.
In this case, the independent variable is the temperature, and the dependent variable is the exam performance. During the experiment, David will change the temperature of the
room and investigate the performance of the each player, so the independent variable is the temperature.
4.
A drag racer wants to see if the speed of a race car can be altered depending on type of fuel used, either alcohol, nitrous, or gasoline.
In this case, the independent variable is type of fuel, and the dependent variable is the speed of the car. The word “depend on” has showed that type of the fuel will decide the speed of