In an experiment, two groups of college students were shown the same pictures of 25 women from a different campus. However, for one group, the photos were altered to make the faces in the photographs appear more symmetrical. Participates rated the attractiveness of the women on a one-to-ten scale with ten being very attractive and one be very unattractive. In this experiment, what was the dependent variable?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or observed in an experiment, and in this case it is the attractiveness rating given by the participants. The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or changed by the experimenter, which in this case is whether or not the pictures were altered to appear more symmetrical. The sex of the persons in the pictures and whether or not the participants were college students are not related to the dependent variable and therefore not the correct choices.

In an Experiment, Two Groups of College Students Were Shown