Examples of independent and dependent variables
Imagine you’re a researcher studying how sleep affects mood.
Variables in psychology are things that can be changed or altered, such as characteristics or values.
Variables are generally used in psychology experiments to determine if changes to one thing result in changes to another.
Tom Werner / Getty Images
Variables in psychology play a critical role in the research process.
The two main types of psychological variables are the independent and dependent variables.
Both variables are important in collecting data about psychological phenomena.
Sometimes, these are fairly easy to identify, particularly if the experiment is quite simple.
Start by asking yourself what the experimenter is manipulating.
What is being measured?
The dependent variable is the one that the experimenter is measuring.
Intervening Variables in Psychology
In the real world, variables often don’t stand alone.
In many cases, factors affect the main variables of interest.
For example, sleep problems in university students are often influenced by factors such asstress.
Extraneous Variables in Psychology
Independent and dependent variables are not the only variables present in many experiments.
In some cases, extraneous variables may also play a role.
This pop in of variable may impact the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
A controlled variable is one that is held constant throughout an experiment.
It is important to also note that a controlled variable is not the same thing as acontrol group.
All other variables between the control group andexperimental groupare held constant (i.e., they are controlled).
Recap
Variables play an important part in psychology research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Independent and dependent variables are used in experimental research.
Researchers can use statistical analyses to determine the strength of a relationship between two variables in an experiment.
Two of the most common ways to do this are to calculate a p-value or a correlation.
The p-value indicates if the results are statistically significant while the correlation can indicate the strength of the relationship.
2023;27(1):83-101. doi:10.1177/10888683221104368
Yiping Z.Experimenter effect.
In:The ECPH Encyclopedia of Psychology.
2024;46(1):78-80. doi:10.1177/02537176241227586
American Psychological Association.Operational definition.
APA Dictionary of Psychology.
