In a laboratory, smokers are asked to "drive" using a computerized driving simulator equipped with a stick shift and a gas pedal. The object is to maximize the distance covered by driving as fast as possible on a winding road while avoiding rear-end collisions. Some of the participants smoke a real cigarette immediately before climbing into the driver's seat. Others smoke a fake cigarette without nicotine. You are interested in comparing how many collisions the two groups have. In this study, the participants who smoke a cigarette without nicotine make up the __________.
A) control group
B) driving simulator
C) experimental group
D) no-control group

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The participants who smoke a cigarette without nicotine are not exposed to the variable of interest (nicotine), and are therefore considered a control group. The study is comparing the effects of smoking a real cigarette (experimental group) versus not smoking any cigarette (control group).

In a Laboratory, Smokers Are Asked to "Drive" Using a Computerized