What is the independent variable in the following hypothesis: ...

[sammy]

What is the independent variable in the following hypothesis: teenagers who have a high self-concept will be less likely to diet than those with a low self-concept?
 
  a. Age of subject
  b. Dieting status
  c. Self-concept
  d. Teenager

Question 2

The following hypothesis, daily doses of humor will cause arthritis sufferers to use less pain medication and exercise longer, was listed in a study being critiqued. What kind of hypothesis is this?
 
  a. Associative, complex
  b. Causal, nondirectional
  c. Complex, directional
  d. Simple, directional

[Jadwiga9]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The self-concept influences the dieting status of the teenager and is the independent variable.
Age of subject is not a variable.
Dieting status is the dependent variable.
Teenager is not a variable in the study.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
There are more than two variables involved, so it is a complex hypothesis. The hypothesis indicates a direction, less pain medication and longer exercise, so it is directional.
A causation is predicted, so it is not associative, and there are more than two variables, so it is a complex hypothesis.
There is a prediction of causation in the hypothesis, but the hypothesis indicates a direction, less pain medication and longer exercise, so it is directional.
The hypothesis is not simple because there are more than two variables, and it is directional because less pain medication and longer exercise are included.

[sammy]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[tkempin]

Excellent