Explain what a correlation coefficient measures, and provide examples of what different kinds of coefficients indicate.
What will be an ideal response?
A good answer would include the following key points:
- Correlation coefficients are measures of the relationship between two variables.
- Coefficients can range between -1.00 and +1.00, and indicate both the strength and the direction of a relationship.
- Coefficients closer to 1.00 on either end represent stronger levels of association.
- Positive coefficients indicate that as scores on one variable increase, scores on the other variable increase, and vice-versa; both variables are moving in the same direction.
- Negative coefficients indicate that high scores on one variable are associated with low scores on the other variable, and vice-versa; the variables are moving in opposite directions.
- A correlation of +.85 between height and weight indicates a strong, positive association between those two variables.
- A correlation of -.30 between weight and finger dexterity indicates a weak, negative association between those two variables.
- A correlation of .00 indicates no association between two variables.
You might also like to view...
Which of the following is true of self-report of health issues?
a. People report more symptoms when a mailed questionnaire is used than when they are interviewed face to face. b. People are typically reluctant to report symptoms when completing a mailed questionnaire because it feels so impersonal. c. Mailed questionnaires should not be used due to the possibility that private health information might be accidentally made public. d. It is important for an examiner to be present to explain difficult terms to those taking the test.
Which process enables the brain to adjust to environmental circumstances or to compensate for injury?
a. neurotransmission b. myelination c. reputake d. neuroplasticity
Which of the following statements is most consistent with the dualism view of the mind-brain problem?
A. The brain and the mind are both physical. B. Everything is made of matter and energy. C. The body is made of matter, whereas the mind is not. D. Both hemispheres of the brain work together.
You are marooned on a tropical island with a dangerous criminal. In your suitcase are four books written by psychologists. If you believe that the criminal's behavior was mostly the result of unconscious conflicts within his mind, which author should you choose to best elaborate on this idea?
A. Sigmund Freud B. William James C. John Watson D. Wilhelm Wundt