Experimental Method Review

An experiment is performed to see if background music improves learning.  Two groups study the same material, one while listening to music and another without music. The independent variable is

• learning
• size of group
• material studied
• presence of music

In an experiment to test the effects of hunger on aggressive behavior, aggressive behavior would be the

• placebo
• control
• dependent variable
• independent variable

In an experiment to find out if taking ginseng increases IQ scores, the IQ scores would be

• independent variable
• control variable
• extraneous variable
• dependent variable

Dr. Schrute wants to investigate if aggressive behavior in children is increased if they view violent videos. In this instance, the dependent variable is

• violent videos

• aggressive behavior

• a placebo

• the control condition

In an experimental study of the effects of anxiety on self-esteem, anxiety would be the ________ variable.

• experimental
• dependent
• correlational
• independent