A researcher thinks that the reason why extraversion is related to life satisfaction (r = .35) is because extraverts have larger social networks. They find that people higher in extraversion tend to create larger networks, and those larger networks in turn foster higher life satisfaction. When accounting for these links, the association between extraversion and life satisfaction is zero.

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Full mediation occurs when the mediator entirely accounts for the predictor–outcome relationship, leaving no remaining direct association once the mediator is included.

1. Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- Total effect (c): the observed relationship between predictor (extraversion) and outcome (life satisfaction) before considering a mediator. Here c = 0.35.
- Direct effect (c'): the relationship between predictor and outcome after statistically controlling for the mediator (social network size).
- Indirect effect (a × b): the portion of the total effect that operates through the mediator (path a: extraversion → network size; path b: network size → life satisfaction).
- Full (complete) mediation: c' = 0 and the indirect effect equals the total effect. Partial mediation: c' is reduced but remains nonzero. No mediation: indirect effect is negligible/non-significant.

2. Step-by-step reasoning
- Step 1: Observe the total effect: extraversion is correlated with life satisfaction, r = 0.35 (this is the total effect c).
- Step 2: Test whether extraversion predicts the mediator: extraversion → larger social networks (given by the researcher).
- Step 3: Test whether the mediator predicts the outcome controlling for extraversion: larger networks → higher life satisfaction (given).
- Step 4: Recompute the direct effect of extraversion on life satisfaction while controlling for network size. The problem states this direct association becomes zero.

3. Intermediate calculations (conceptual)
- Total effect c = 0.35
- Direct effect c' = 0.00 (after accounting for network size)
- Indirect effect = c − c' = 0.35 − 0.00 = 0.35
Thus the entire total effect is carried by the indirect path through network size.

4. Why the correct answer is correct
Because c' = 0, the mediator (network size) fully accounts for the relationship between extraversion and life satisfaction. The entire observed association (0.35) is explained by the pathway extraversion → larger networks → greater life satisfaction, meeting the definition of full mediation.

5. Why other options are incorrect
- Covariate: a covariate is a control variable not necessarily conceptualized as a mediator; the prompt describes a causal mediating process, not merely a control.
- Partial mediation: would apply if the direct effect remained nonzero after accounting for the mediator; here it becomes zero.
- No mediation: would apply if the mediator did not explain the relation; here the mediator explains the entire effect.

6. Conclusion
The pattern described matches full mediation; therefore the correct answer is full mediation, consistent with the provided answer.

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