Independent Variables in Psychology

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For example, in an experiment looking at the effects of studying on test scores, studying would be the independent variable. Researchers are trying to determine if changes to the independent variable (studying) result in significant changes to thedependent variable(the test results).

In general, experiments have these three types of variables: independent, dependent, and controlled.

Identifying the Independent Variable

If you are having trouble identifying the independent variables of an experiment, there are some questions that may help:

Researchers are interested in investigating the effects of the independent variable on other variables, which are known as dependent variables (DV). The independent variable is one that the researchers either manipulate (such as the amount of something) or that already exists but is not dependent upon other variables (such as the age of the participants).

Below are the key differences when looking at an independent variable vs. dependent variable.

Expected to influence the dependent variable

Doesn’t change as a result of the experiment

Expected to change as a result of the experiment

Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology

There can be all different types of independent variables. The independent variables in a particular experiment all depend on the hypothesis and what the experimenters are investigating.

Independent variables also have different levels. In some experiments, there may only be one level of an IV. In other cases, multiple levels of the IV may be used to look at the range of effects that the variable may have.

In an experiment on the effects of the type of diet on weight loss, for example, researchers might look at several different types of diet. Each type of diet that the experimenters look at would be a different level of the independent variable while weight loss would always be the dependent variable.

To understand this concept, it’s helpful to take a look at the independent variable in research examples.

In Organizations

A researcher wants to determine if the color of an office has any effect on worker productivity. In an experiment, one group of workers performs a task in a yellow room while another performs the same task in a blue room. In this example, the color of the office is the independent variable.

In the Workplace

A business wants to determine if giving employees more control over how to do their work leads to increased job satisfaction. In an experiment, one group of workers is given a great deal of input in how they perform their work, while the other group is not. The amount of input the workers have over their work is the independent variable in this example.

In Educational Research

Educators are interested in whether participating in after-school math tutoring can increase scores on standardized math exams. In an experiment, one group of students attends an after-school tutoring session twice a week while another group of students does not receive this additional assistance. In this case, participation in after-school math tutoring is the independent variable.

In Mental Health Research

Researchers want to determine if a new type of treatment will lead to a reduction in anxiety for patients living with social phobia. In an experiment, some volunteers receive the new treatment, another group receives a different treatment, and a third group receives no treatment. The independent variable in this example is thetype of therapy.

Sometimes varying the independent variables will result in changes in the dependent variables. In other cases, researchers might find that changes in the independent variables have no effect on the variables that are being measured.

At the outset of an experiment, it is important for researchers to operationally define the independent variable. An operational definition describes exactly what the independent variable is and how it is measured. Doing this helps ensure that the experiments know exactly what they are looking at or manipulating, allowing them to measure it and determine if it is the IV that is causing changes in the DV.

Choosing an Independent Variable

If you are designing an experiment, here are a few tips for choosing an independent variable (or variables):

It is also important to be aware that there may beother variablesthat might influence the results of an experiment. Two other kinds of variables that might influence the outcome include:

Extraneous variables can also includedemand characteristics(which are clues about how the participants should respond) and experimenter effects (which is when the researchers accidentally provide clues about how a participant will respond).

How to Conduct a Psychology Experiment

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kaliyadan F, Kulkarni V.Types of variables, descriptive statistics, and sample size.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2019;10(1):82-86. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_468_18Weiten, W.Psychology: Themes and Variations, 10th ed. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning; 2017.Additional ReadingNational Library of Medicine.Dependent and independent variables.

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kaliyadan F, Kulkarni V.Types of variables, descriptive statistics, and sample size.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2019;10(1):82-86. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_468_18Weiten, W.Psychology: Themes and Variations, 10th ed. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning; 2017.Additional ReadingNational Library of Medicine.Dependent and independent variables.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Kaliyadan F, Kulkarni V.Types of variables, descriptive statistics, and sample size.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2019;10(1):82-86. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_468_18Weiten, W.Psychology: Themes and Variations, 10th ed. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning; 2017.

Kaliyadan F, Kulkarni V.Types of variables, descriptive statistics, and sample size.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2019;10(1):82-86. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_468_18

Weiten, W.Psychology: Themes and Variations, 10th ed. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning; 2017.

National Library of Medicine.Dependent and independent variables.

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