Final answer:
Constructs are theoretical entities, like pain or happiness, that describe abstract characteristics or aspects of behavior that are not directly observable. Variables are measurable or observable characteristics that can vary across individuals or situations, such as weight or hours slept. The correct answer is B) Constructs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Abstractions of particular aspects of human behavior or characteristics, such as pain, weight, and happiness, are described as Constructs (Choice B). Constructs are theoretical entities that are used to describe things that are not directly observable but can be inferred from behavior or measured through various means. For instance, pain is a subjective experience and cannot be directly observed like physical objects. However, we can infer pain from expressions, behavior, and through self-report scales like the Wong-Baker Faces pain-rating scale.
Variables, on the other hand, are characteristics or measurements that can take on different values across individuals or situations. For example, personality traits, intelligence scores, or stress levels could all be considered variables in psychology. These differ from constructs in that variables can often be directly measured or observed. Examples include a person's height, weight, or the number of hours slept.