The Influence Relationship among Variables and Types of Multiple Influence Factors Working Together

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1041.2024.01462

Abstract

Abstract:

The investigation of relationships among variables is the main focus of empirical research in psychology and other social science disciplines. Many empirical studies based on questionnaire surveys involve the influence relationship between variables. However, the lack of a universally accepted definition for this concept has led to ambiguity, and it is often conflated with causal or correlational relationships, which may cause problems for studies on mediating effects. This article defines the influence relationship as a directional correlation, clarifying relationships among correlation, influence and causation in terms of denotation and connotation. We propose several ways to identify evidence for modeling the influence relationship. Our discussion involves the joint effects of multiple factors influencing a dependent variable. The paper provides theoretical support for studying relationships between variables in questionnaire research.

Key words: influence relationship, correlation relationship, causal relationship, influence factor, mediating variable, moderating variable

WEN Zhonglin, WANG Yifan, MA Peng, MENG Jin, LIU Xiqin. (2024). The Influence Relationship among Variables and Types of Multiple Influence Factors Working Together. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 56(10), 1462-1470.

Figures/Tables 5

References 32

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Relatedness	Temporal order
Relatedness	X and Z are not sequential	X precedes Z
X and Z are unrelated	X and Z are independent influence factors Z moderates the effect of X on Y (X and Z can exchange roles)	X and Z are independent influence factors X moderates the effect of Z on Y
X and Z are related	Z and X are overlapping influence factors for Y Z is a proxy influence factor for X on Y (unanalyzed effect) Z moderates the effect of X on Y (X and Z can exchange roles)	Z mediates the effect of X on Y (partial mediation) Z mediates the effect of X on Y (full mediation) Z is a proxy influence factor for X on Y (spurious effect) X is a moderator, and Z is a mediator

Relatedness	Temporal order
Relatedness	X and Z are not sequential	X precedes Z
X and Z are unrelated	X and Z are independent influence factors Z moderates the effect of X on Y (X and Z can exchange roles)	X and Z are independent influence factors X moderates the effect of Z on Y
X and Z are related	Z and X are overlapping influence factors for Y Z is a proxy influence factor for X on Y (unanalyzed effect) Z moderates the effect of X on Y (X and Z can exchange roles)	Z mediates the effect of X on Y (partial mediation) Z mediates the effect of X on Y (full mediation) Z is a proxy influence factor for X on Y (spurious effect) X is a moderator, and Z is a mediator