Research has shown that social exclusion activates the same brain regions as physical pain. A researcher wants to test the hypothesis that over-the-counter pain relievers will also reduce the pain of social exclusion. She gives half of her participants ibuprofen and half a placebo, has them play a game in which other players ignore them, and then measures their level of distress. In this study _______ is the independent variable and _______ is the dependent variable.
A) taking ibuprofen; taking a sugar pill
B) being ignored; distress
C) distress; taking ibuprofen
D) whether people take ibuprofen; distress

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The independent variable is what the researcher manipulates to see if it causes an effect (in this case, whether people take ibuprofen or not), and the dependent variable is what the researcher measures to see if there is an effect (in this case, the level of distress).

Research Has Shown That Social Exclusion Activates the Same Brain