If a psychologist's goal is to describe behavior or mental processes,he might conduct a(n)__________ study.

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A descriptive study is designed to observe and describe behavior or mental processes, without manipulating any variables or causing any changes. This method is often used to gather information about a particular phenomenon or group, which can then be used to generate testable hypotheses or inform further research. Examples of descriptive studies include surveys, case studies, naturalistic observations, and correlational studies. In contrast, an experimental study is designed to manipulate one or more variables to determine their causal effects on behavior or mental processes. An independent variable is a variable that is manipulated by the experimenter, while a dependent variable is a variable that is measured by the experimenter and expected to change as a result of the independent variable.

If a Psychologist's Goal Is to Describe Behavior or Mental