Which term describes variables related to participant characteristics such as age or gender?

The chosen answer, subject variables, accurately describes variables that pertain to participant characteristics such as age or gender. Subject variables are inherent traits or characteristics that can influence the behavior of participants in a study. Since researchers do not manipulate these variables, they are also referred to as "participant variables." Recognizing these variables is crucial because they can impact the outcomes of an experiment and are important for understanding the diversity of the sample being studied.

Independent variables refer to the factors that researchers manipulate to observe their effects on the dependent variable, while control variables are factors that researchers keep constant to prevent them from influencing the results. Extraneous variables, although they can also impact the dependent variable, are not of primary interest to the researcher and are usually controlled to minimize their effect. Understanding the difference between these terms is essential for effectively designing and analyzing psychological research.