VARIABILITY
Continuous Variable
A continuous variable is defined as a variable that can take an uncountable
set of values or an infinite set of values.
For instance, if a variable over a non-empty range of the real number is
continuous, then it can take on any value in that range.
Thus, the range of real numbers between x and y with x, y ∈ R and x ≠ y; is
said to be uncountable and infinite.
Types of Continuous Variable
Instant Variable
A variable can be defined as the distance or level between each category that
is equal and static. For example, what is the average day time temperature in
South Korea during the summer?
Ratio Variable
This type of variable has only one variable from an interval variable. The only
difference is that he ratio between the scores gives information regarding the
relationship between the responses.
Continuous Variable Examples
example, using the values 1 and 2 as reference, there is an infinite number of
decimals between them. Using decimals, one may try to list all values between 1
and 2, such as: 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2……
The body mass is an example of a continuous variable. Even though one can define
a value for body mass, for example, with three numbers after the decimal point
(e.g., 5.542 Kg), this value can always be more accurate, incorporating infinite digits
after the point.
Discrete Variable
A discrete variable is a kind of statistical variable that can only take on discrete
specific values. The variable is not continuous, which means there are infinitely
many values between the maximum and minimum that just cannot be attained no
matter what.
Example: The test scores on a standardized test are discrete because there are only
so many values that can be obtained on a test. It would be impossible, for example,
to obtain a 342.34 score on SAT.
Difference between Discrete and Continuous Variable
Discrete Variable Continuous Variable
It is a variable whose value is obtained It is variable whose value is obtained by
by counting. measuring.
Number of planets around the Number of stars in the space
Sun Height or weight of the students
Number of students in a class in a particular class
Range of specified number is complete. Range of specific numbers is
It assumes a distinct or specific value. incomplete, i.e., infinite.
It assumes any value between two
values.
In psychology, “constructs” are ways to describe
patterns of behavior or experiences so that they can
be explored, investigated, and discussed. It’s a way of
putting a name to things that don’t exist in a physical
sense.
Types of Constructs
Emotion
Emotions are not physical entities, and you
cannot measure them physically (at least not
directly), but it is still useful to consider them as
a thing. Essentially, creating a construct is
creating a “thing” and once we have established
that thing, we can talk to one another about it.
Natural
Construct are considered natural as they
respond to something that is naturally occurring. The fact that certain
emotions are recognizable universally across cultures suggest that
psychology has hit the nail on the head of a construct that matches up with
what happens in nature.
Academic or research purpose
Some construct are practical for academic or research purpose even if they
do not translate into any sort of concrete thing. For example, socioeconomic
status is useful for understanding social positioning related to wealth, but
there is not an actual thing that one could say was socioeconomic status.
Correlational Method
A technique used to measure the likelihood of two behaviours relating to each
other.
Psychologists are often interested in deciding whether two behaviours tend to occur
together. One means of making this assessment involves using correlations.
Sometimes two measurements are associated so that when the values of one
increase, so dos the other- a positive correlation. On the other hand, one value may
increase systematically as the other decreases- a negative correlation.
Correlational Method is used for: Predictions, Reliability and Validity, and Evaluating
theories. One problem Correlational Method has is that it cannot make casual
claims.
The Experimental Method
Manipulating and controlling variables in laboratory experiments. Experimental
method must have a comparison at least two groups (often more) that get
compared. On groups serves as a control for the other group.
Experimental method Variable:
- Independent Variable – the variable that is manipulated.
- Dependent Variable – the variable that is measured.
- Control Variable – held constants for all participants in the experiment.
The advantages of experimental method are precise control possible, precise
measurement possible, theory testing possible, and can make causal claims. On the
other hand, the disadvantages of experiment method are artificial situations may
restrict generalization to “real world” and complex behaviours may be difficult to
measure.