Signs of a Strong Relationship (EXAM 2)

What type of information do observation provide?

Researchers observe and record behavior in a natural environment without interfering (no manipulation)

What type of information do self-report provide?

Direct info about a persons internal, subjective experiences and observable or retrospective behaviors that cannot be directly observed by others

What type of information do aptitude tests provide?

Measurements of a persons natural potential, cognitive processing speed and capacity

What type of information do physiological measures provide?

Objective, quantifiable data on the body’s internal biological and nervous system functions

What does correlation tell us in general?

Indicates a relationship between two or more variables

The closer r is to +/-1, the … the relationship

Stronger

The closer r is to 0, the … the relationship

Weaker

Positive correlation

Both variables increase together (More height; more weight)

Both variables decrease together (Less screen time; less eye strain)

Negative correlation

One variable increases, the other decreases (More time on social media; lower exam performance)

Zero correlation

No relationship between two variables (Hours of sleep and shoe size)

What is a third variable?

Confounding variable

What are the criteria for causation?

Presence, precedence, and strength of a relationship

What is presence?

Presumed cause must be present when effect is present

What is precedence?

Presumed cause must precede (come before) the effect

What is strength of relationship?

Correlation is a prerequisite for causation

What is illusory correlation?

Believe a relationship exists between two things, even when no such relationship exists

Ceiling effect

Participants scoring at or near the maximum (easy test)

Floor effect

Participants scoring at or near the minimum (difficult test)