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Xiaokun ChenLora HarpsterPSY 101001.29.2014As 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.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.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.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. 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 the car, and the drag racer will change the fuel type and see different effect on speed, so the independent variable is the type of the fuel.A study is conducted on the influence of instructor presentation medium (chalk board, dry erase board, overheads, or technology-enhanced PowerPoint presentation) on the accuracy of student note taking.In this case, the independent variable is the types of presentation medium and the dependent variable is the accuracy of student note taking. During the experiment, instructor will change the presentation medium and investigate accuracy of student note taking. A researcher shows one group of students a violent cartoon and another group of students a non-violent cartoon and watches to see violent behavior on the playground for the next month.In this case, the independent variable is violent or non-violent cartoon and the dependent variable is the violent behavior. What kind of cartoon will decide the different reflect on violent behavior, so the violent or non-violent cartoon is the independent variable.A chef wants to see if the quality of bread (e.g., texture and appearance) is increased by using an imported Italian yeast, when compared to using the normal domestic yeast. In this case, the independent variable is Italian yeast or domestic yeast, and the dependent variable is the quality of bread (e.g., texture and appearance). The chef is comparing the different effect on bread with domestic yeast and import Italian yeast. A sports psychologist records the number of fouls committed by players and then codes if they were wearing a light or dark colored uniform.In this case, the independent variable is the light or dark colored uniform, and the dependent variable is the number of fouls. Light or dark colored uniform will cause different numbers of fouls, so the independent variable is the independent variable.A medical doctor compares a generic brand of aspirin to a name brand aspirin to see which is more effective in reducing headaches.In this case, the independent variable is a generic brand of aspirin or a name brand aspirin and the dependent variable is the effect of reducing headaches. Different types of medicine will have different will have effect on headache. A marketing research firm wants to see if sales figures for a diet product will be affected by color of packaging (either red, green, or brown).In this case, the independent variable is the color of packaging and the dependent variable is the sales figures for a diet product.In conclusion, the independent variable is the variables can be controlled by the investigator, and the dependent variable is the variables caused by the independent variables.Reflection: After doing this activity, I have a deeper understand of independent variables and dependent variables. This progress will be helpful to my later studies and experimental designing. A good designing of independent variable will make the hole experiment more efficient. ................
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