A researcher found that self-esteem in school children is positively correlated with grades. In other words, the higher the chil
d’s self-esteem, the higher the child’s grades tend to be. Further research indicated that a third variable may cause this correlation. Which of the following is most likely to be the third variable in this example?
Studying hours should the third variable that correlates the other two. Since that higher self-esteem should motivate students to study more, and that hours are going to get higher grades. So, depending on how many hours they dedicate to study, grades are going to raise, it's like a cycle in this case.
The correct answer to this open question is the following.
What is most likely to be the third variable in this example is IQ score.
Further research notes that the IQ of the Children also affects the marks and academic results of children. A child could have high self-esteem but if it doesn't like the subject of does not has a high IQ, the children could have problems in school. There have been cases where a child has a high IQ but lacks self-esteem for a variety of reasons. And this also affects child performance in school.
