Lecture 8: Moderation in Regression (Alt 3)

Question 1

What are the three key types of three-variable models in psychology introduced in the lecture?

Answer 1

• Mediation,
• moderation
• simultaneous prediction.

Question 2

What does mediation explain in three-variable models?

Answer 2

How a predictor affects an outcome through a third variable (the mediator).

Question 3

What does moderation explore in three-variable models?

Answer 3

When or for whom a predictor affects an outcome.

Question 4

What is simultaneous prediction in three-variable models?

Answer 4

Multiple predictors each having independent additive effects on an outcome.

Question 5

What is the definition of moderation as provided in the lecture?

Answer 5

Moderation occurs when the strength or direction of the relationship between an independent variable (IV) and dependent variable (DV) varies depending on the level of a third variable (the moderator).

Question 6

In moderation, what changes across levels of the moderator?

Answer 6

The effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.

Question 7

How does moderation differ from mediation in terms of influence?

Answer 7

Moderation changes the direct effect of the IV on the DV — it does not act directly on either variable.

Question 8

What are the three ways a moderator can influence a predictor’s effect on an outcome?

Answer 8

A moderator can enhance, diminish, or reverse the predictor’s effect on the outcome.

Question 9

Does a moderator need to be independent of the predictor or the outcome?

Answer 9

No, a moderator does not need to be independent from the predictor or the outcome to be valid.

Question 10

Why is independence between variables not required in observational moderation research?

Answer 10

Because correlations are common in observational research and do not undermine validity.

Question 11

What type of research questions is moderation used to answer?

Answer 11

Questions about differential effects across subgroups or levels of another variable.

Question 12

What was the hypothesis tested in the speed-dating (Intelligence-attractiveness) moderation study?

Answer 12

For participants who value intelligence highly, a date’s intelligence should more strongly predict attractiveness.

Question 13

What was the result of the speed-dating study regarding moderation?

Answer 13

No moderation was found — people’s revealed preferences during speed dating did not align with their stated ideals.

Question 14

Provide one example of a real-world moderation effect discussed in the lecture.

Answer 14

The link between food intake and weight gain moderated by exercise.

Question 15

What statistical methods can be used to test moderation?

Answer 15

ANOVA or multiple regression.

Question 16

When is multiple regression preferred for testing moderation?

Answer 16

When the third variable is measured rather than manipulated.

Question 17

What types of variables can the moderator and predictor be in moderated regression?

Answer 17

They can be continuous or categorical.

Question 18

What determines the kind of regression used in moderation analysis?

Answer 18

The type of outcome variable (e.g., continuous => linear; categorical => logistic).

Question 19

What does testing moderated multiple regression involve conceptually?

Answer 19

• Creating an interaction term by multiplying the predictor and moderator variables.
• Testing whether this interaction term significantly predicts the outcome variable, over and above the main effects of the predictor and moderator alone

Question 20

What does the interaction term in moderated regression test?

Answer 20

Whether it significantly predicts the outcome variable over and above the main effects.

Question 21

What is the first step in the general procedure for moderated multiple regression?

Answer 21

Mean-centering the predictor and moderator to reduce multicollinearity and aid interpretation.

Question 22

What is done after mean-centering variables in moderated regression?

Answer 22

Creating an interaction term by multiplying the centred predictor and moderator.

Question 23

What are the blocks used in hierarchical regression for testing moderation?

Answer 23

Block 1 includes predictor and moderator; Block 2 adds the interaction term.

Question 24

What indicates a moderation effect in hierarchical regression?

Answer 24

A significant change in R² (e.g., improved model fit).

Question 25

What analysis follows a significant moderation effect in regression?

Answer 25

A simple slopes analysis.

Question 26

What is the purpose of simple slopes analysis in moderation?

Answer 26

To determine how the relationship differs at high vs. low levels of the moderator.

Question 27

What technique helps to visually communicate the moderation effect?

Answer 27

Plotting the interaction.

Question 28

Does the statistical significance of moderation effects depend on the order of predictor and moderator variables?

Answer 28

No, it does not.

Question 29

On what must causal assumptions in moderation be based?

Answer 29

Theoretical rationale, not model structure.

Question 30

What does moderation analysis not establish on its own?

Answer 30

Causality.

Question 31

What SPSS tool is recommended for conducting moderation analysis?

Answer 31

The PROCESS macro by Andrew Hayes.

Question 32

What models in PROCESS macro can be used for simple moderation?

Answer 32

Model 1 (single moderator) or Model 2 (two moderators).

Question 33

What does moderated mediation test?

Answer 33

Whether the strength or nature of an indirect effect (mediation) varies depending on the level of a moderator.

Question 34

How many variables are involved in a moderated mediation model?

Answer 34

A minimum of four variables.

Question 35

What is the main focus of research in moderated mediation?

Answer 35

The indirect effect (i.e., mediation).

Question 36

In moderated mediation, in what two ways can moderation occur?

Answer 36

1) The strength of the indirect effect varies across levels of the moderator; 2) Different indirect pathways become relevant depending on the moderator.

Question 37

What is the main focus of research in mediated moderation?

Answer 37

The direct effect (i.e., moderation).

Question 38

What role does a mediator play in mediated moderation?

Answer 38

A mediator explains or accounts for the moderation effect.

Question 39

What are the two possible roles of a moderator in a single mediator model?

Answer 39

The moderator can influence the predictor-to-mediator relationship, the mediator-to-outcome relationship, or both.

Question 40

In models with parallel mediators, how can the moderator influence the effect?

Answer 40

By determining which mediator’s pathway contributes to the predictor–outcome relationship. In a parallel mediation model, a moderator can influence the strength or the direction of the indirect effect via one or more mediators: * by moderating the path from X to the mediator * the path from the mediator to Y, * or the overall indirect effect.

Question 41

How does moderation contribute to theory refinement in psychological research?

Answer 41

By helping to explain inconsistent effects across samples or contexts, thus identifying boundary conditions for psychological phenomena.

Question 42

What makes moderation technically more complex than simple regression?

Answer 42

The inclusion of interaction terms and additional interpretation steps like simple slopes and plotting.

Question 43

What is mediated moderation?

Answer 43

Mediated moderation occurs when the interaction between two variables (a moderation effect) influences a third variable (the mediator), which in turn affects the outcome.

Question 44

What is the causal sequence in mediated moderation?

Answer 44

1. A moderator interacts with a predictor (e.g., stress × coping style), 2. This interaction influences a mediator (e.g., emotional regulation), 3. The mediator then influences the dependent variable (e.g., depressive symptoms).

Question 45

What research question does a mediated moderation model address?

Answer 45

“How or why does the interaction between X(IV) and W(Moderator) influence Y (DV)?”

Question 46

In a mediated moderation model studying stress and depression, what roles do X, W, M, and Y represent?

Answer 46

X (DV) = Daily stress W (Moderator) = Coping style (moderator) M (mediator) = Emotional regulation Y (DV) = Depression symptoms

Question 47

What does a mediated moderation model test in the context of stress and depression?

Answer 47

That the effect of stress on depression depends on coping style (moderation), and that this interactive effect operates through emotional regulation (mediation).

Question 48

What is moderated mediation?

Answer 48

Moderated mediation occurs when the strength of a mediated effect (indirect path from X to Y through M) depends on the level of a moderator.

Question 49

What is the causal sequence in moderated mediation?

Answer 49

1. A predictor X influences a mediator M, 2. M influences outcome Y (mediation), 3. A moderator W affects either: - The X → M path, or - The M → Y path, or - The indirect effect as a whole.

Question 50

What research question does a moderated mediation model address?

Answer 50

“When or for whom does the indirect effect of X on Y through M occur?”

Question 51

In a moderated mediation model studying stress and depression, what roles do X, M, Y, and W represent?

Answer 51

X = Daily stress M = Emotional regulation Y = Depression symptoms W = Coping style

Question 52

What does a moderated mediation model test in the context of stress and depression?

Answer 52

That the indirect effect of stress on depression via emotional regulation depends on coping style — for example, emotional regulation might only reduce depression in individuals with adaptive coping.