Jay Weiss, a psychologist, used electric shock on rats in a control group and rats in an experimental group. One group; however, was given a piece of wood to chew on. They had fewer ulcers (open sores or lesions in stomach lining).
What is the independent variable and dependent variable?
dependent variable: stomach lining lesions
independent: piece of wood
In this experiment, the independent variable is the presence of the piece of wood given to the rats in the experimental group. The independent variable is the factor that is manipulated or controlled by the researcher.
The dependent variable in this case is the number of ulcers that develop in the rats' stomach lining. The dependent variable is the outcome or response that is being measured or observed and is expected to be influenced by the independent variable.