Dr. Jenkins wants to see if specific goals lead to better performance than "do your best" goals. To test this, he goes to a 5K running race to recruit participants. He asks some racers to try for a specific time that is difficult but possible for them and others to do their very best. On average, those with the specific goals run faster than those trying to do their best. What is the independent variable in this example?
a. the type of goal set-specific or "do your best"
b. the faster times in the specific goals group
c. the group that set specific goals
d. race times
Answer: A. The type of goal set-specific or "do your best"