Devine et al. are interested in assessing whether active versus passive play causes a preference for sweet or salty foods in toddlers. they assign groups of children to either an active play, passive play, or no play group and record their food choices when presented with a variety of sweet and salty foods. in this study, is the independent variable and is the control group.

type of play; no play          

Explanation:

Independent variable: Type of play.

In a psychological experiment, an independent variable is the variable that is being changed or manipulated. The change in the independent variable causes a change in the dependent variable.

Control group: No play.

In a psychological experiment, the control group consists of participants who do not get or receive the experimental treatment. These participants are being randomly selected in this group during an experiment.