Question

Studies have shown that social desirability (e.g., perceived features of friendliness and pleasantness) can influence the extent to which we may see someone being academically competent. Social desirability is ________________________ and perceived academic competence is _______________________. A) an independent variable; the dependent variable

B) a confounding variable; the independent variable
C) a dependent variable; the independent variable
D) a confounding variable; the dependent variable

Answer 1

Social desirability is the independent variable that may affect the dependent variable, perceived academic competence, highlighting the relationship between the two in a hypothetical study.

Step-by-step explanation:

Studies have shown that social desirability can influence the extent to which we see someone as academically competent. Social desirability is the independent variable that may affect the dependent variable, perceived academic competence, highlighting the relationship between the two in a hypothetical study.

In this context, social desirability is an independent variable and perceived academic competence is the dependent variable. This means that the option A) an independent variable; the dependent variable is the correct answer. The independent variable is controlled or manipulated in a study to see its effect on the dependent variable, whereas the dependent variable is what is measured or observed to see how it has been affected by changes in the independent variable.