What was the dependent variable in Experiment 1 of the Laney study?

In Experiment 1 of the Laney study, the dependent variable measured was the level of false belief reported by the participants. This element is crucial because it assesses the outcomes of the experimental manipulation—in this case, the suggestion that participants had enjoyed eating asparagus as children. By examining the extent to which participants expressed this false memory or belief, the researchers could determine the effectiveness of the manipulation on influencing dietary preferences. This focus on the participants' reported beliefs reflects the core objective of the study, which aimed to investigate how positive false memories could be implanted and subsequently validated through their answers in the questionnaires. Other options, while relevant in the context of the study, do not capture the primary focus on belief induction and measurement related to the experiment's hypothesis.