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Label each example with the type of variable that best represents it:

Mediator
Moderator
Third Variable

- Warm temperatures cause ice cream sales to be associated with crime rates, though they otherwise would not be associated.
- A negative parenting style is the reason that marital violence is linked with childhood aggression.
- Stress is associated with negative health outcomes only when the stress is viewed negatively.
- Friendship explains why social media use and happiness are related.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

In research methodology, the examples provided are best classified as third variable, mediator, and moderator respectively. Warmer temperatures act as a third variable affecting both ice cream sales and crime rates.

Step-by-step explanation:

In social studies, particularly in research methodology, we often come across various types of variables that explain relationships between different concepts. Let's address the student's question on labeling each example with the type of variable that best represents it.

  • Warm temperatures cause ice cream sales to be associated with crime rates, though they otherwise would not be associated. Third Variable
  • A negative parenting style is the reason that marital violence is linked with childhood aggression. Mediator
  • Stress is associated with negative health outcomes only when the stress is viewed negatively. Moderator
  • Friendship explains why social media use and happiness are related. Mediator

With the ice cream and crime rates example, the warm temperatures would be a third variable affecting both sales and crime rates. The negative parenting style serves as a mediator because it explains the mechanism through which marital violence affects childhood aggression.

When it comes to stress and health outcomes, whether the stress is viewed negatively acts as a moderator, affecting the strength or direction of the association. Lastly, friendship would be considered a mediator as it provides a mechanism explaining the relationship between social media use and happiness.

User Brian Ochs
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