The response variable, also known as the dependent variable, refers to the participant’s response or behavior that is caused by changes in the stimulus variable. The response variable is what researchers should observe, record, or measure. For instance, in one experiment, subjects are presented with red or green light and instructed to press a button with their right hand when they see red light and with their left hand when they see green light. Time lapsed from the appearance of the light and the button press is designated as the response variable. When plotting the results of stimulus and response variables in a psychological experiment, the stimulus variable should be plotted on the abscissa and the response variable on the ordinate. For example, in a skill learning curve, the amount of practice (stimulus variable) appears on the abscissa, and performance (response variable) is recorded on the ordinate.
The response of the subjects can be recorded from four aspects: (1) accuracy of...
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Further Reading
Kantowitz BH, Roediger HL, Elmes DG (2015) Experimental psychology, 10th edn. Cengage Learning, Boston
Zhang X-M, Hua S (2014) Experimental psychology. Beijing Normal University Publishing Group, Beijing
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Shouxin, L. (2024). Response Variable. In: The ECPH Encyclopedia of Psychology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-6000-2_357-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-6000-2_357-1
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