Elliot and Niesta (2008) tested the hypothesis that men would find a woman more attractive when she was surrounded by a red background than when she was surrounded by other colors. In their first study the researchers compared a woman in front of a red background and a woman in front of a white background. The possibility that in this study the white background was brighter than the red background represents which of the following?
A) A secondary variable.
B) An alternative explanation.
C) A threat to construction validity.
D) A threat to external validity.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The possibility that the white background was brighter than the red background could serve as an alternative explanation for any observed differences in attractiveness ratings, suggesting that the effect might not be due to the color red itself but rather to the brightness of the background.

Elliot and Niesta (2008) Tested the Hypothesis That Men Would