Some researchers have noted that adolescents who spend a lot of time watching horror movies are at greater risk of depression and violence. This is an example of a(n):
A. valid conclusion because more time yields more aggression is a positive association.
B. observational study with lurking variables that may explain the association.
C. single-blind experiment because the subjects knew they were watching television.
D. paired data experiment because we are studying both aggression and TV watching.
I chose D is that correct?
I can understand why you chose option D. However, it is not the correct answer in this case. The correct answer is option B. Let me explain why.
The statement mentions that researchers have observed a relationship between spending a lot of time watching horror movies and increased risk of depression and violence among adolescents. This observation does not involve an experiment or any intervention from the researchers, so it cannot be categorized as an experiment. Instead, it is an example of an observational study.
Observational studies do not involve manipulating variables or controlling conditions, which makes it challenging to establish a cause-and-effect relationship. In this case, the researchers have simply observed a correlation between horror movie consumption and negative outcomes. It is crucial to note that there might be other variables, known as lurking variables, that could be contributing to the observed association. For example, it is possible that the adolescents who are more prone to depression and violence are also more likely to be attracted to horror movies.
Therefore, option B is the best answer because it correctly describes the situation as an observational study with lurking variables that may explain the association.