Final answer:
The causal variable that brings about change in social science is known as the independent variable (IV), which impacts the dependent variable (DV) in a study.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social scientists refer to the causal variable that induces change as the independent variable (IV). This variable is regarded as the 'driver' of change, while the outcome of this change is measured by the dependent variable (DV), which is impacted by the independent variable. In structured scientific research, particularly in sociological studies, the independent variable is isolated to see its effect on the dependent variable. Researchers must design their experiments by randomly assigning subjects to treatment groups, ensuring that the only difference between these groups is the treatment itself. This rigorous experimental design helps to prove causality rather than mere correlation, and it is essential in distinguishing true effects from those caused by lurking variables.
To put this into context, a sociologist might examine how a particular form of human behavior, as an independent variable, influences a dependent variable. For example, one might ask: How does gender (the independent variable) affect rate of income (the dependent variable)? Or, how does one's religion (as the independent variable) influence the size of their family (the dependent variable)? These carefully defined variables allow research to systematically investigate and draw conclusions about social phenomena.