Psych 209: Chapter 9 Vocab Flashcards
Exam 1
Positive Correlation
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
Negative Correlation
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
Pearson’s r
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
Scatterplot
A graph depicting the relationship shown by a correlation
Restricting the Range
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
Coefficient of Determination (r^2)
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
Regression Analysis
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
Regression Line
Summarizes the point of a scatterplot and provides the means for making predictions
Criterion Variable
In regression analysis, this is the variable that is being predicted from the predicator variable
Predicator Variable
In a regression analysis, the variable used to predict the criterion variable
Directionality Problem
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
Cross-lagged Panel Correlation
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
Third Variable Problems
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
Partial Corrleation
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
Split-Half Reliability
A form of reliability in which one-half of the items on a test are correlated with the remaining items
Test-Retest Reliability
A form of reliability in which a test is administered on two separate occasions and the correlation between them is calculated
Criterion Validity
Form of validity in which a psychological measure is able to predict some future behavior or is meaningfully related to some other measure
Intraclass Correlation
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
Bivariate Anlysis
Any statistical analysis investigating the relationship between two variables
Multivariate Analysis
Any statistical analysis investigating the relationships among more than two variables
Multiple Regression
A multivariate analysis that includes a criterion variable and two or more predictor variables; the predictors will have different weights
Factor Analysis
A multivariable analysis in which a large number of variables are intercorrelated; variables that correlate highly with each other form “factors”
Correlation Matrix
A table that summarizes a series of correlations among several variables
