Extraneous Variables

Question 1

What are the types of extraneous variables?

Answer 1

1. Situational variable

2. Ppt variable

Question 2

What is a situational variable?

Answer 2

1. Environmental conditions that can influence ppt performance
2. Affects validity & accuracy of findings

Question 3

What 3 things can situational variables cause?

Answer 3

1. Order effects
   - ppt performance may in/decrease if they have to repeat a test
2. Investigator effects
   - researchers unintentionally giving clues on how to behave
3. Demand characteristics
   - changing behaviour to meet perceived aims of study

Question 4

What is a ppt variable?

Answer 4

1. Ppt characteristics that may influence performance
2. Affects :
   • generalisability
   • reliability
   • accuracy

Question 5

Give some examples of ppt variables.

Answer 5

1. Age
2. Intelligence
3. Mood