Understanding Correlations in Psychology
Correlations describe how two variables relate to each other in psychological research. There are three main types of correlations:
- Positive correlation: Both variables move in the same direction, either increasing or decreasing together.
Example: The number of hours spent studying for an AP exam and the resulting exam score typically show a positive correlation.
- Negative correlation: As one variable increases, the other decreases.
Example: The number of hours spent watching reality TV shows like Bachelor in Paradise often has a negative correlation with the number of books read.
- No correlation: There is no relationship between the variables.
Example: There is typically no correlation between the amount of tea consumed and a person's intelligence level.
Highlight: Understanding correlations is crucial in experimental psychology cause and effect examples in everyday life, as it helps distinguish between related variables and actual causal relationships.