AP Psychology Practice Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Operational definitions are specifically used to define variables in research in a clear and measurable way. This clarity is essential because it allows researchers to communicate their methods and findings effectively and ensures that their studies can be replicated by others. By providing precise definitions, researchers can specify exactly what they mean when they discuss a variable, thereby enhancing the reliability and validity of their results.

The other options refer to different components of psychological practice. Prescribing treatments involves applying psychological principles to help individuals, which is distinct from defining research variables. Creating psychological theories is about constructing explanations based on empirical data, whereas assessing psychological disorders is related to diagnostic procedures, not to operational definitions. Thus, the primary role of operational definitions is indeed to define the variables in research settings.