7d) correlations

Question 1

What is a correlational study?

Answer 1

Investigate whether there is a relationship association between two variables

Question 2

What is a real example of correlational research?

Answer 2

-Canli (2000) left amygdala activation and rating of emotional intensity
-Baron-Cohen (2000) higher autism test score = higher reading the mind in the eyes score
(Higher autism = lower emotion guesser)

Question 3

How do correlational studies differ from the experimental method?

Answer 3

With experiments, the researcher controls or manipulates the IV to measure the effect on the DV and therefore causality can be established. In correlational research there is no manipulation of one variable and so causality cannot be established

Question 4

What are examples of why causality cannot be established?

Answer 4

1- may be a third intervening variable
2- cannot establish the direction of the relationship
3- you can have a spurious relationship / association

Question 5

How do you write hypotheses for correlational research?

Answer 5

-state whether there is going to be a relationship or association between x and y

Null = no correlation
Directional = states whether it is positive or negative
Non-directional = there will be a relationship / change

Question 6

How might researchers collect the data for the co-variables?

Answer 6

-secondary data (e.g. population growth)
-observational data (e.g. number of times someone does something)
-questionnaires (standardised measure)
-brain scanning technologies (e.g. amygdala activation)

Question 7

What type of graph is used to plot the data?

Answer 7

-correlation is shown on a scatter graph
-x and y axis are the variables
-independent variable = x axis
-dependent variable = y axis

Question 8

What is a positive correlation?

Answer 8

When as one variable increases, the other also does
-> perfect positive = dots in a line
-> strong positive = dots close to a line
-> weak positive = dots in an irregular linear pattern
-> 1 = a perfect positive correlation

Question 9

What is a negative correlation?

Answer 9

When as one co-variable increases, the other decreases
-> perfect negative = dots in a line
-> strong negative = dots close to a line
-> weak negative = dots in an irregular linear pattern
-> -1 = a perfect negative correlation

Question 10

What is a zero correlation?

Answer 10

There is no relationship between the variables

Question 11

What is a curvilinear relationship?

Answer 11

Where as one variable decreases, so does the other, but only until a certain point -> then as one variable continues to increase the other decreases

Question 12

What shape is a curvilinear relationship?

Answer 12

Upside down “U”

Question 13

What are the pros of correlational studies?

Answer 13

• can be used when it would be unethical to manipulate a variable using another method
  -can make use of excising data
  -can be quick
  -no manipulation is needed
  -high ecological validity
  -very useful as preliminary research technique
  -allows researchers to identify a link

Question 14

What are the cons of correlational studies?

Answer 14

-no cause and effect relationships can be inferred
-correlations are open to misinterpretation
(E.g. one variable cannot be said to cause an increase or decrease in the other variable)