Personality Research Methods Pt. 2

Question 1

What is a correlation coefficient (r)

Answer 1

A statistical test used to understand the relationship between two variables, ranging from +1.00 to -1.00, where zero means no correlation

Question 2

What does the sign (+/-) of a correlation coefficient indicate?

Answer 2

The direction of the relationship between the two variable

Question 3

What does a correlation coefficient closer to the extremes (+1.00 or -1.00) indicate?

Answer 3

A stronger relationship between the two variables

Question 4

What is considered a “weak” correlation coefficient?

Answer 4

+/- .01 to +/- .20

Question 5

What is the range for a “moderate” correlation coefficient?

Answer 5

+/- .21 to +/- .40

Question 6

What correlation coefficient range is described as “strong”

Answer 6

+/- .41 to +/- .60

Question 7

Define “very strong” correlation coefficiens

Answer 7

+/- .61 to +/- .80

Question 8

What range indicated an “extremely strong” correlation?

Answer 8

+/- .81 to +/- 1.00

Question 9

What did Walter Mischel’s “personality coefficient” suggest about personality traits and behavior?

Answer 9

Personality traits typically correlate with specific behaviors around r = .20 to .30, which was initially seen as small but later appreciated in context

Question 10

Give an example of a correlation used in personality research

Answer 10

The relationship between extraversion and happiness, where a study found a significant correlation (r = .50)

Question 11

What is the coefficient of determination (r^2)?

Answer 11

The proportion of total variation in scores on one variable that is explained by the other variable; calculated by squaring the correlation coefficient

Question 12

If the correlation between happiness and extraversion is +.50, what is the coefficient of determination (r^2)?

Answer 12

.25, meaning 25% of the variance in happiness is accounted for by extraversion

Question 13

What are the two methods focused on in personality analysis?

Answer 13

The observation Method and the Z-score Method

Question 14

What is a personality theory?

Answer 14

A set of related assumptions used to explain observations or facts and to generate testable hypotheses

Question 15

What is the observation method in personality analysis?

Answer 15

Identifying consistent patterns in thinking, acting, and feeling that reflect dimensions of a person’s personality

Question 16

What is the Z-score Method in personality analysis?

Answer 16

A statistical method to compare an individual’s score to others to understand their unique personality pattern

Question 17

What is needed to apply the Z-score Method?

Answer 17

The Raw Score, the Comparison Mean, and the Comparison Standard Deviation

Question 18

What is the formula for calculating a Z-score?

Answer 18

(Raw Score-Mean)/Standard Deviation

Question 19

Why transform a raw score to a Z-score

Answer 19

To compare an individual’s score relative to others, providing context to otherwise meaningless raw scores

Question 20

What does a Z-score of less than -2.00 indicate in intelligence testing?

Answer 20

Intellectually Disabled

Question 21

What does a Z-score of more than +2.00 indicate in intelligence testing?

Answer 21

very superior intelligence