Directions: For this part of the activity, I would like you to practice writing conceptual and operational definitions for variables. For each of the following variables, please come up with one conceptual definition and two operational definitions.
a. Anxious
i. Conceptual definition:
ii. Operational definition:
iii. Operational definition:
b. Popular
i. Conceptual definition:
ii. Operational definition:
iii. Operational definition:
c. High Self-Esteem
i. Conceptual definition:
ii. Operational definition:
iii. Operational definition:
Directions: For this part of the activity, identify the independent variable (IV) and the dependent variable (DV) for each of the research scenarios and give the operational definition for each. Additionally, create a hypothesis for each research scenario. Note: there are not operational definitions provided for all variables in the scenarios provided – you will have to create some operational definitions from scratch and others will involve recognizing manipulations in the scenarios provided.
1. A developmental psychologist is interested in how the activity level of four-year-olds is affected by viewing a 30- minute video of the SpongeBob SquarePants or a 30-minute video of Sid the Science Kid.
IV:
Operational definition of IV:
DV:
Operational definition of DV:
Hypothesis:
2. A psychiatrist wants to test the impact of a new drug designed to increase the ability of teenagers with ADHD to take accurate notes in class.
IV:
Operational definition of IV:
DV:
Operational definition of DV:
Hypothesis:
3. A biopsychologist wants to know whether exposure to testosterone in adult female rats increases their aggressive behavior.
IV:
Operational definition of IV:
DV:
Operational definition of DV:
Hypothesis:
4. An industrial/organizational psychologist believes that cooling the temperature of a room may have an impact on productivity of workers on an assembly line.
IV:
Operational definition of IV:
DV:
Operational definition of DV:
Hypothesis:
