Instructions: Read the description of the relationships among the variables in each of the cases below. Then, using the concepts discussed in class, attempt to diagram that relationship using the appropriate symbology and labels for independent variable, dependent variable, moderating variable, antecedent variable, and confounding variable.
Case One -- A researcher believes that gender influences the extent of verbal aggressiveness displayed by an individual, with males being more verbally aggressive than females.
Case Two -- A second researcher believes that an individual's
status is the primary determinant of his or her verbal aggressiveness,
and that such aggressiveness increases with status. However, gender influences
this relationship in such a way that the increase in verbal aggressiveness
for any increment of increase in status is greater for men than for women.
Case Three -- A third researcher believes that verbal aggressiveness is higher for men than for women, on average, and that verbal aggressiveness increases as status increases.
Case 5 -- A researcher posits a mechanism whereby the existence
of "family friendly policies" such as flex-time, parental leave,
and on-site daycare within an organization will improve that organization's
productivity. He suspects that increases in the number, usefulness, and
accessibility of such policies will result in increases in worker morale,
which will then serve to increase productivity.
Case 6 -- A researcher is unable to rule the possibility that
propensity toward violence is not caused by viewing violent television,
but is in fact determined by the prevalence of violence within the community
to which an individual belongs.
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