In the following example, what is the independent variable and the dependent variable?  An experimenter is interested in studying the effects of amphetamines on the reaction times of rats.  She sets up an experiment whereby the rats are given varying doses of the drug and after each dose are put into a box.  At one end of the box is a food dispenser and at the other end is a lever.  The rat has been previously trained to press the lever in order to dispense the food.  After giving the rat each dose of drug, the experimenter puts the rat into the box and records the time it takes the rat to press the lever and eat the food.

Ciccarelli: Psychology_5 (5th Edition)
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ISBN:9780134477961
Author:Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White
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Chapter1: The Science Of Psychology
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In the following example, what is the independent variable and the dependent variable?

 An experimenter is interested in studying the effects of amphetamines on the reaction times of rats.  She sets up an experiment whereby the rats are given varying doses of the drug and after each dose are put into a box.  At one end of the box is a food dispenser and at the other end is a lever.  The rat has been previously trained to press the lever in order to dispense the food.  After giving the rat each dose of drug, the experimenter puts the rat into the box and records the time it takes the rat to press the lever and eat the food.

Expert Solution
Introduction

Independent Variable

In a research experiment, the manipulated variable is the one that is changed by the researcher to measure the effects of the same during the study. The manipulated variable is also known as an independent variable. A researcher can decide whether to increase or decrease the manipulated variable during the research experiment. The researcher wishes to understand how this change in the manipulated variable has an effect on the controlled variable. 

Dependent Variable

The dependent variable or control variable refers to the variable that is being measured after manipulating the independent variable. In other words, the dependent variable is dependent on the independent variable and varies according to the change in the independent variable.

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