1. Chapter 15 The Elaboration Model Key Terms

2. Elaboration model A logical model for understanding the relationship between two methods by controlling for the effects of a third. Test variable A variable that is held constant in an attempt to clarify further the relationship between two other variables.

3. Partial relationship In the elaboration model, this the relationship between two variables when examined in a subset of cases defined by a third variable. Zero-order relationship In the elaboration model, this is the original relationship between two variables, with no test variables controlled for.

4. Replication A technical term used in connection with the elaboration model, referring to the elaboration outcome in which the initially observed relationship between two variables persists when a control variable is held constant, thereby supporting the idea that the original relationship is genuine.

5. Explanation An elaboration model outcome in which the original relationship between two variables is revealed to have been spurious, because the relationship disappears when an intervening test variable is introduced.

6. Interpretation A technical term used in connection with the elaboration model. It represents the research outcome in which a control variable is discovered to be the mediating factor through which an independent variable has its effect on a dependent variable.

7. Specification A technical term used in connection with the elaboration model, representing the elaboration outcome in which an initially observed relationship between two variables is replicated among some subgroups created by the control variable but not among others.

8. Suppressor variable In the elaboration model, a test variable that prevents a genuine relationship from appearing at the zero-order level. Distorter variable In the elaboration model, a test variable that reverses the direction of a zero-order relationship.

9. Ex post facto hypothesis A hypothesis created after confirming data have already been collected. It is a meaningless construct because there is no way for it to be disconfirmed.