A researcher asks male and female participants to rate the guilt of a defendant on the basis of their physical attractiveness. Which of the following is a response variable? a) Gender of the research participant b) Guilt ratings c) The defendant's physical attractivenesss d) The defendant's gender

B) Guilt ratings

In a research study, the response variable is the variable that is measured or observed for changes. It is the outcome that the researcher is interested in predicting or explaining. In this case, the researcher is interested in how the physical attractiveness of the defendant influences the guilt ratings. Therefore, the guilt ratings are the response variable.