MCAT® ExamPsychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of BehaviorMedium
A researcher is studying the effects of a new medication on memory recall. They administer the medication to one group of participants and a placebo to another group. After a set period, they test both groups on their ability to recall a list of words. The 'list of words' used in the recall test represents which of the following components of the experimental design?
- AConfounding variable
- BDependent variable
- CIndependent variable
- DControl variable
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Dependent variable
The 'list of words' is the tool used to measure the outcome (memory recall), which is the dependent variable. The dependent variable is what is measured or observed.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A confounding variable is an external factor that could influence the results, not the measurement tool itself.
- C. The independent variable is the medication (what is manipulated), not the list of words.
- D. A control variable is kept constant to prevent it from influencing the outcome, not the measurement itself.
Dependent Variable
The variable that is measured or observed in an experiment; its value is expected to change in response to the independent variable.
- It is the 'effect' in a cause-and-effect relationship
- Its value depends on the independent variable
- Often represented on the y-axis of a graph
Memory trick: I manipulate, D depends on me.