Essay

Based on the study by Schnall and colleagues, identify which variable was manipulated and which was only measured. Then, explain why the researchers could not make a causal claim about the relationship between the measured variable and moral judgments, specifically recalling the potential third variable they suggested.

Question: Based on the study by Schnall and colleagues, identify which variable was manipulated and which was only measured. Then, explain why the researchers could not make a causal claim about the relationship between the measured variable and moral judgments, specifically recalling the potential third variable they suggested.

Sample answer: In the study, disgust was the manipulated variable, while private body consciousness was only measured. The researchers could not make a causal claim about private body consciousness because it was not manipulated, meaning any association could be due to an unmeasured third variable, such as neuroticism, which independently increases both bodily awareness and moral strictness.

Key points:

  • Disgust was the manipulated variable.
  • Private body consciousness was the measured variable.
  • Causal claims are limited because private body consciousness was not manipulated.
  • An association could be due to an unmeasured third variable.
  • Neuroticism is the specific third variable that could increase both bodily awareness and moral strictness.

Rubric: The answer must correctly identify disgust as manipulated and private body consciousness as measured. It must recall that no causal claim can be made for private body consciousness because it was not manipulated, and specify neuroticism as the potential unmeasured third variable that independently increases both bodily awareness and moral strictness.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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