Question

In an experiment testing the effect of watching violent video games on aggressive behavior, researchers used specific strategies and procedures to help minimize the possibility that extraneous variables would influence the outcome of the experiment. These strategies are called:

a) Extraneous controls
b) Research variables
c) Experimental groups
d) Control measures

Answer 1

In research experiments, strategies to minimize the impact of extraneous variables are referred to as 'control measures'. They ensure that any observed effects are likely due to the manipulation of the independent variable.

Step-by-step explanation:

In an experiment testing the effect of watching violent video games on aggressive behavior, strategies and procedures designed to minimize the impact of extraneous variables are known as control measures. These include careful experimental design, random assignment, use of control groups, ensuring that the only difference between experimental and control groups is the experimental manipulation, and blinding both researchers and subjects to the condition assignments when possible.

To maintain the integrity of the experiment, control measures are vital. They help ascertain that the changes in the dependent variable are the direct result of the manipulation of the independent variable, such as exposure to violent video games. Without these measures, it would be difficult to make definitive causal statements about the relationship between the independent variable and observed behaviors.