What was one of the independent variables in Aronson's pratfall experiment?

In Aronson's pratfall experiment, the independent variable is related to the subject's level of competence. The experiment aimed to investigate how a person's competence affected the perception of their likability when they made a mistake or "pratfall." By manipulating the level of competence, Aronson could observe how participants' evaluations of the subject changed depending on whether the subject was perceived as highly competent or less competent.

When the subject was competent and then made a mistake, it often made them more relatable and likable due to the humanization aspect of imperfection. However, if the subject was perceived as less competent before the pratfall, the mistake did not significantly enhance their likability. This aspect of the experiment highlights the importance of competence in social perception and the dynamics of human interaction, emphasizing how mistakes can affect social impressions based on prior evaluations of skill or ability.