Psych 209: Chapter 9 Vocab

Question 1

Positive Correlation

Answer 1

A relationship between variables X and Y such that a high school for X is associated with a high score for Y and a low score for X is associated with a low score for Y

Question 2

Negative Correlation

Answer 2

A relationship between variables X and Y such that a high score for X is located with a low score for Y and a low score for X is associated with a high score for Y

Question 3

Pearson’s r

Answer 3

Measure of the size of a correlation between two variables’ ranges from a perfect positive correlation of +1.00 to a perfect negative correlation -1.00; if r = 0, then no relationship exists between the variables

Question 4

Scatterplot

Answer 4

A graph depicting the relationship shown by a correlation

Question 5

Restricting the Range

Answer 5

Occurs in a correlation study when only a limited range of scores for one or both of the variables is used; range restrictions tend to lower correlatoins

Question 6

Coefficient of Determination (r^2)

Answer 6

For two correlation factors, the proportion of variance in one factor that can be attributed to the second factor; found by squaring Pearson’s r

Question 7

Regression Analysis

Answer 7

In correlation research, knowing the size of a correlation and a value for variable X, it is possible to predict a value for variable Y; this process occurs through a regression analysis

Question 8

Regression Line

Answer 8

Summarizes the point of a scatterplot and provides the means for making predictions

Question 9

Criterion Variable

Answer 9

In regression analysis, this is the variable that is being predicted from the predicator variable

Question 10

Predicator Variable

Answer 10

In a regression analysis, the variable used to predict the criterion variable

Question 11

Directionality Problem

Answer 11

In correlational research, this refers to the fact that for a correlation between variables X and Y, it is possible that X is causing Y, but it is also possible that Y is causing X; the correlation alone provides no basis for deciding between the two alternatives

Question 12

Cross-lagged Panel Correlation

Answer 12

Refers to a type of correlation research designed to deal with the directionality problem; if variables X and Y are measured at two different times and if X precedes Y, then X might cause Y but Y cannot cause X

Question 13

Third Variable Problems

Answer 13

Refers to the problem of drawing causal conclusion in correlational research; third variables are any uncontrolled factors that could underline a correlation between variables X and Y

Question 14

Partial Corrleation

Answer 14

A multivariable statistical procedure for evaluating the effects of theird variables; if the correlation between X and Y remains high, even after some third factor Z has been “partialed out” then Z can be eliminated as a third variable

Question 15

Split-Half Reliability

Answer 15

A form of reliability in which one-half of the items on a test are correlated with the remaining items

Question 16

Test-Retest Reliability

Answer 16

A form of reliability in which a test is administered on two separate occasions and the correlation between them is calculated

Question 17

Criterion Validity

Answer 17

Form of validity in which a psychological measure is able to predict some future behavior or is meaningfully related to some other measure

Question 18

Intraclass Correlation

Answer 18

A form of correlation used when pair of scores do not come from the same individual, as when correlations are calculated for pairs of twins

Question 19

Bivariate Anlysis

Answer 19

Any statistical analysis investigating the relationship between two variables

Question 20

Multivariate Analysis

Answer 20

Any statistical analysis investigating the relationships among more than two variables

Question 21

Multiple Regression

Answer 21

A multivariate analysis that includes a criterion variable and two or more predictor variables; the predictors will have different weights

Question 22

Factor Analysis

Answer 22

A multivariable analysis in which a large number of variables are intercorrelated; variables that correlate highly with each other form “factors”

Question 23

Correlation Matrix

Answer 23

A table that summarizes a series of correlations among several variables