Which of the following indicates that two variables move in opposite directions?

Which of the following indicates that two variables move in opposite directions?

• A. Positive correlation
• B. Negative correlation
• C. Weak correlation
• D. No correlation

Answer: (B)

A negative correlation indicates that two variables move in opposite directions; as one variable increases, the other decreases. This type of correlation highlights an inverse relationship between the two variables, meaning when one changes in a positive direction, the other tends to change in a negative direction. For instance, if you consider the relationship between temperature and the amount of heating used in a home, you would notice that as the temperature increases (more warmth), the need for heating decreases—this is a clear example of a negative correlation. This concept is essential in understanding many real-world relationships in psychology and other fields, as it helps to identify patterns of behavior and predict one variable's effect on another based on their interactions.

A negative correlation indicates that two variables move in opposite directions; as one variable increases, the other decreases. This type of correlation highlights an inverse relationship between the two variables, meaning when one changes in a positive direction, the other tends to change in a negative direction.

For instance, if you consider the relationship between temperature and the amount of heating used in a home, you would notice that as the temperature increases (more warmth), the need for heating decreases—this is a clear example of a negative correlation. This concept is essential in understanding many real-world relationships in psychology and other fields, as it helps to identify patterns of behavior and predict one variable's effect on another based on their interactions.