Everyday Examples of Positive and Negative Correlation in Action

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 📈 Positive Correlation: As one variable increases, the other variable also increases. As one variable decreases, the other variable decreases. Think of it as a direct relationship.
• 📉 Negative Correlation: As one variable increases, the other variable decreases, and vice versa. This is an inverse relationship.
• 🔢 Correlation Coefficient: Measures the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables. Values range from -1 to +1.
• ➕ Positive Correlation Coefficient: A value close to +1 indicates a strong positive correlation.
• ➖ Negative Correlation Coefficient: A value close to -1 indicates a strong negative correlation.
• 0️⃣ Zero Correlation Coefficient: A value close to 0 indicates little or no linear correlation.
• ⚠️ Important Note: Correlation does not equal causation! Just because two variables are correlated doesn't mean one causes the other. There could be other factors at play.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is an example of a positive correlation?
   1. A) The number of hours spent studying and exam scores.
   2. B) The price of a car and the amount of gasoline left in the tank.
   3. C) The temperature outside and the amount of clothing people wear.
   4. D) The number of pets a person owns and their overall happiness.


2. As the number of hours spent watching television increases, a student's grades tend to decrease. This is an example of what type of correlation?
   1. A) No correlation
   2. B) Positive correlation
   3. C) Negative correlation
   4. D) Spurious correlation


3. Which of the following scenarios most likely demonstrates a negative correlation?
   1. A) Increased rainfall and increased crop yield.
   2. B) Increased exercise and decreased weight.
   3. C) Increased ice cream sales and increased temperature.
   4. D) Increased studying and increased stress levels.


4. What does a correlation coefficient close to +1 indicate?
   1. A) A strong negative correlation
   2. B) A weak correlation
   3. C) A strong positive correlation
   4. D) No correlation


5. If there is a strong positive correlation between the number of firefighters at a fire and the amount of damage caused by the fire, what can we conclude?
   1. A) More firefighters cause more damage.
   2. B) More damage causes more firefighters to arrive.
   3. C) There is likely a confounding variable affecting both.
   4. D) Firefighters prevent damage.


6. Which of these relationships is least likely to show correlation?
   1. A) Height and weight
   2. B) Income and level of education
   3. C) Shoe size and IQ
   4. D) Hours of sunlight and plant growth


7. Imagine a study finds that as coffee consumption increases, sleep quality decreases. What kind of correlation is this?
   1. A) Zero Correlation
   2. B) Positive Correlation
   3. C) Negative Correlation
   4. D) Perfect Correlation