Correlations - Strengths and Weaknesses

Question 1

+ Starting point for further research

Answer 1

Correlations provide a starting point for further research. If a relationship is shown it may be worth fully investigating

Question 2

+ Ethical

Answer 2

Correlations allow us to see relationships for behaviours that would not be ethical to manipulate (e.g. testing aggression through correlation between testosterone levels in offenders and their aggression)

Question 3

• Cause and effect

Answer 3

Correlations don’t establish cause and effect, so the relationship may just be fluke. This lowers validity

Question 4

• Other variables

Answer 4

Other variables may impact on the behaviours (co-variables) being measured and skew the data. This lowers validity