Which of the following was identified as an extraneous variable in Andrade's study?

• A. Participants' doodling style
• B. Participants' prior experience with doodling
• C. Individual differences in memory and concentration
• D. Environmental noise during testing

Answer: (C)

The identification of individual differences in memory and concentration as an extraneous variable in Andrade's study highlights the importance of recognizing factors that can influence the outcomes of an experiment without being the primary focus of the research question. Extraneous variables are those that may introduce variability into the results but are not the variables the study is trying to measure or manipulate directly.

In Andrade's research on doodling, individual differences in memory and concentration could affect how participants process information and recall details from the task. These differences could skew the results if not controlled, as some participants may naturally have better memory recall or concentration levels, which are unrelated to doodling itself but could impact how well they perform on the task.

By acknowledging this variable, researchers can take steps to control for it, ensuring that its influence on the outcomes is minimized. This understanding is crucial for validating the findings and attributing any observed effects directly to the act of doodling rather than background differences in cognitive abilities among participants.