Essay

Describe the specific psychological variables that MacDonald and Martineau (2002) needed to measure in their study on sexual intentions, and briefly explain how the researchers manipulated one of these variables.

Question: Describe the specific psychological variables that MacDonald and Martineau (2002) needed to measure in their study on sexual intentions, and briefly explain how the researchers manipulated one of these variables.

Sample answer: In their 2002 study, MacDonald and Martineau needed to measure three key intangible variables: the participants' self-esteem, their mood, and their behavioral intentions to have unprotected sex. To manipulate the mood variable, the researchers had participants think negative thoughts.

Key points:

  • Identifies self-esteem as a measured variable.
  • Identifies mood as a measured variable.
  • Identifies behavioral intentions regarding unprotected sex as a measured variable.
  • Recalls that mood was manipulated by having participants think negative thoughts.

Rubric: Full credit is awarded for correctly identifying all three variables (self-esteem, mood, behavioral intentions) and recalling the method used to manipulate mood (thinking negative thoughts).

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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