Essay

Based on the study by Halle Brown and colleagues (1999) described in the source, identify the two independent variables investigated and describe their nature (which one was manipulated and which was measured as a pre-existing participant variable). Then, recall the specific pattern of recall findings for individuals high versus low in hypochondriasis across the different word types.

Question: Based on the study by Halle Brown and colleagues (1999) described in the source, identify the two independent variables investigated and describe their nature (which one was manipulated and which was measured as a pre-existing participant variable). Then, recall the specific pattern of recall findings for individuals high versus low in hypochondriasis across the different word types.

Sample answer: In the study by Brown and colleagues (1999), the two independent variables were: 1) the type of word presented, which was a manipulated independent variable consisting of negative health-related words (e.g., 'tumor', 'coronary') and non-health-related words (e.g., 'election', 'geometry'); and 2) the level of hypochondriasis, which was a non-manipulated (measured) participant variable representing whether participants had high or low levels of pre-existing concern with bodily symptoms. The findings showed that participants high in hypochondriasis recalled more health-related words than those low in hypochondriasis, but there was no difference in recall performance between the two groups for the non-health-related words.

Key points:

  • Identifies the type of word as the manipulated independent variable.
  • Identifies the participant's level of hypochondriasis as the non-manipulated (measured) independent variable.
  • Recalls that high-hypochondriasis participants recalled more health-related words than low-hypochondriasis participants.
  • Recalls that there was no recall difference between high- and low-hypochondriasis participants for non-health-related words.

Rubric: The answer should be evaluated on the correct identification of the two independent variables (word type and hypochondriasis level), their correct categorization as manipulated vs. measured/non-manipulated, and the accurate recall of the interaction results (high-hypochondriasis participants recalled more health-related words but showed no difference on non-health-related words).

0

1

Updated 2026-05-27

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

KPU

Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

Related