Wood and colleagues (2009) examined the value of self-affirmation. In a typical study, participants either engaged or did not engage in self-affirmations. Later, their current self-esteem was assessed. Which alternative CORRECTLY names and identifies the variables in this study?
A) independent variable – self-affirmations; dependent variable – self-esteem scores
B) independent variable – self-esteem scores; dependent variable – self-affirmations
C) experimental variable – self-affirmations; control variable – self-esteem scores
D) experimental variable – self-esteem scores; control variable – self-affirmations

"Wood and colleagues (2009) examined the value of self-affirmation. In a typical study, participants either engaged or did not engage in self-affirmations. Later, their current self-esteem was assessed."

Independent and Dependent Variable:

Dependent variable is the variable whose value depends on the independent variable.
Independent variable is the free variable.

For the given scenario, self esteem is assessed based on the fact that participants either engaged or did not engage in self-affirmations.

Thus, the dependent variable is self esteem and the independent variable is engagement in self affirmation.

Thus, the correct answer is

Option A) independent variable – self-affirmations; dependent variable – self-esteem scores