In Baron-Cohen's study, what variable was considered as the independent variable (IV)?

In Baron-Cohen's study, the independent variable was the type of participant. This means that the researchers categorized participants into different groups based on characteristics such as whether they had autism or were neurotypical. By doing this, they could assess how performance on tasks—such as the theory of mind task—varied across these different participant categories.

The focus on varying types of participants allows researchers to evaluate how cognitive processes differ among groups, which is central to understanding developmental psychology, particularly in relation to conditions like autism. This variable is essential in the design of the study as it sets the basis for comparison and analysis of results. In contrast, score on the AQ test, age, and gender serve as possible confounding variables or characteristics of the participants but do not play the role of the independent variable in this context.