The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations

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The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations (1986)

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by Reuben M. Baron , David A. Kenny

Venue:	Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Citations:	5254 - 7 self

BibTeX

@ARTICLE{Baron86themoderator–mediator,
    author = {Reuben M. Baron and David A. Kenny},
    title = {The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations},
    journal = {Journal of Personality and Social Psychology},
    year = {1986},
    pages = {1173--1182}
}

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Abstract

In this article, we attempt to distinguish between the properties of moderator and mediator variables at a number of levels. First, we seek to make theorists and researchers aware of the importance of not using the terms moderator and mediator interchangeably by carefully elaborating, both conceptually and strategically, the many ways in which moderators and mediators differ. We then go beyond this largely pedagogical function and delineate the conceptual and strategic implications of making use of such distinctions with regard to a wide range of phenomena, including control and stress, attitudes, and personality traits. We also provide a specific compendium of analytic procedures appropriate for making the most effective use of the moderator and mediator distinction, both separately and in terms of a broader causal system that includes both moderators and mediators. The purpose of this analysis is to distinguish between the properties of moderator and mediator variables in such a way as to clarify the different ways in which conceptual variables may account for differences in peoples ' behavior. Specifically, we differentiate between two often-confused functions of third variables: (a) the moderator function of third variables, which

Keyphrases

statistical consideration moderator mediator variable distinction social psychological research mediator variable third variable personality trait often-confused function different way strategic implication effective use term moderator pedagogical function analytic procedure specific compendium conceptual variable wide range moderator function many way mediator distinction causal system

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