The main reason for using a 2 × 2 factorial design instead of two separate experiments (with one IV per experiment) is to:

A) find the main effects of each independent variable.
B) find an interaction between the independent variables.
C) save time.
D) manipulate one independent variable at a time.

Factorial Design

An experimental design used to evaluate the effects of two or more independent variables on a set of dependent variables.

Independent Variables

Independent variables are the factors in an experiment that are manipulated or changed by the researcher to observe their effects on the dependent variable.

Interaction

Interaction can describe the reciprocal effect of two or more variables on each other in a study, or the communication and influence between individuals in social psychology.