Types of Variables and Groups in an Experiment

For each experiment below, this posting identifies the four components of an experiment, as listed below.
Possible answers:
(Choose an answer from one of the following. There is only one correct answer for each blank.)
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Experimental Group
Control Group

1. An industrial/organizational psychologist develops a new training program to improve clerks’ courtesy towards customers in a chain of retail stores. She conducts an experiment to see if the training program leads to a reduction in the number of customer complaints.

The training program is the _________________ variable.
The number of customer complaints is the _____ variable.
The group that receives the training is the _______ group.
The group that does not receive the training is the _ group.

1. A researcher is interested in how heart rate and blood pressure are affected by viewing a violent film sequence as opposed to a non-violent film. He conducts an experiment to investigate the relationship.

Heart rate and blood pressure are the ______ variables.
The type of film watched is the _____________ variable.
The group that views a violent film is the _______ group.
The group that watches a nonviolent film is the __ group.

1. A researcher uses an experiment to test his theory that both high stimulus complexity and high stimulus contrast increase infants’ attention to stimuli.

High stimulus complexity and high stimulus contrast are the
__ variables.
How long infants stare at the stimulus is the ____ variable.
The group is exposed to normal or low complexity/contrast stimuli is the __ group.
The group that is exposed to high complexity and high contrast stimuli is the _______ group.

1. A military psychologist wants to know if sleep deprivation influences memory. She uses an experiment to answer her question.
   Sleep deprivation is the _________________ variable.
   Memory is the _________________________ variable.
   The group that is sleep deprived is the _______ group.
   The group is not sleep deprived is the ________ group.
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Hello,

you have asked for some assistance in answering 4 fill in the blank questions about components of an experiment. These components are Independent Variable, Dependent Variable, Experimental Group and Control Group. Before providing the correct answers, please read the following definitions about each of the components, so that you will be able to more easily answer questions like this in the future.

Independent Variable Definition:

Factor or phenomenon that causes or influences another associated factor or phenomenon called dependent variable. For example, income is an independent variable because it causes and influences another variable?consumption. In a mathematical equation or model, it is that variable whose value is given. In an experiment, it is the controlled condition (that is allowed to change in a systematic manner) whose effect on the behavior of a dependent variable is studied. Also called controlled variable, explanatory variable, or predictor variable.

Dependent Variable Definition:

Factor or phenomenon that is changed by the effect of an associated …