Final answer:
Restricted stimulus control refers to the situation where a dependent variable responds only under specific conditions or to a limited set of stimuli.
Step-by-step explanation:
Restricted stimulus control in the context of dependent variables refers to a situation where the behavior or reaction being measured is only triggered under specific conditions or in response to a limited set of stimuli. This can constrain how the dependent variable is manifested and can be an important consideration in experimental design.
An example of restricted stimulus control could be a study examining the response of animals to a certain food cue, where the animals only respond to the cue (dependent variable) when they are hungry (specific condition), and not at other times.
This phenomenon can be important in understanding the precise conditions under which a dependent variable is affected by the independent variable, ensuring the results are due to the manipulated changes and not other external factors.