Research Has Shown That Social Exclusion Activates the Same Brain

Multiple Choice

Research has shown that social exclusion activates the same brain regions as physical pain. A researcher wants to test the hypothesis that over-the-counter pain relievers will also reduce the pain of social exclusion. She gives half of her participants ibuprofen and half a placebo, has them play a game in which other players ignore them, and then measures their level of distress. In this study _______ is the independent variable and _______ is the dependent variable.

A) taking ibuprofen; taking a sugar pill
B) being ignored; distress
C) distress; taking ibuprofen
D) whether people take ibuprofen; distress