Intervening variables, also known as mediator variables, are factors that come between two other variables in a causal relationship, and help to explain the relationship between those variables. In other words, an intervening variable is a variable that comes into play between the independent variable (IV) and dependent variable (DV) and influences the relationship between them.
For example, let’s say we are interested in the relationship between studying and academic performance. Studying is the IV, and academic performance is the DV. However, there may be other variables that come into play and influence the relationship between studying and academic performance, such as the student’s motivation, self-discipline, and study habits. These variables are intervening variables, as they mediate the relationship between studying and academic performance.
Intervening variables are important because they can help to provide a more complete understanding of the relationship between the IV and DV. By identifying and measuring intervening variables, researchers can gain insights into the underlying mechanisms that drive a particular relationship.
There are several different types of intervening variables. One type is a causal mechanism, which refers to the process or pathway by which the IV affects the DV. For example, in the relationship between studying and academic performance, the intervening variable of self-discipline could be seen as a causal mechanism, as it explains how studying leads to better academic performance.
Another type of intervening variable is a third variable, which is a factor that influences both the IV and DV, and therefore confounds the relationship between them. For example, in the relationship between studying and academic performance, a third variable could be the student’s intelligence, as more intelligent students may be both more likely to study and more likely to achieve higher academic performance.
A third type of intervening variable is a moderating variable, which influences the strength or direction of the relationship between the IV and DV. For example, in the relationship between studying and academic performance, a moderating variable could be the student’s level of stress. If a student is experiencing high levels of stress, it may decrease the relationship between studying and academic performance, as stress can interfere with learning and memory.