Question

What was the confound (reminder: an extraneous variable that changes systematically along with the variables under study such that it correlates with both IV and DV) that was described in the reading that also influenced children's theory of mind in cross-cultural studies?

a) Parental involvement
b) Socioeconomic status
c) Language proficiency
d) Cultural exposure

Answer 1

The confound affecting children's theory of mind in cross-cultural studies is socioeconomic status, a variable that correlates with both the developmental environment and cognitive abilities.

Step-by-step explanation:

The confound, which systematically changes along with the independent variable (IV) and dependent variable (DV), and influences children's theory of mind in cross-cultural studies, is related to the broader social factors that affect how families raise their children. The correct answer is socioeconomic status. This is evident from the research that indicates that children living in poverty experience stress that can negatively impact brain function and development, potentially leading to lower scores on measures of cognitive capacity, which is a key component of the theory of mind. These stresses associated with socioeconomic status can act as a confounding variable because they can correlate with both the children's developmental environment (IV) and their cognitive abilities (DV).