PSYCH291 Lecture Notes - Dependent And Independent Variables, Random Assignment

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH291
• Professor: Joanne Wood

Document Summary

Variable review proposed cause: independent variable predictor variable proposed effect: dependent variable (sometimes called. For most variables that psychologists are interested in, there is a separation between the variable at the conceptual level and its manifestation at the operational level. We cannot tap into the variable directly, but must get at it indirectly, through operationalizations. We can depict this state of affairs like this: i. v. /predictor d. v. conceptual level operational level. Examples of possible definitions of variables at two levels: Example: self-esteem self-esteem is one"s overall evaluation of oneself: scores on the rosenberg self- esteem scale (self-report, the degree to which individuals smile at themselves in the mirror the conceptual level the operational level. Anxiety is a feeling state involving negative thoughts about the future and unpleasant bodily arousal. 1. observers" ratings of individuals" fidgeting self-reports on anxiety measure heart rate. *when the presumed cause is manipulated, we call it an independent variable.