A researcher reports that in their study, participants who reported the highest levels of stress also exhibited the lowest scores on a measure of immune system functioning, while those with the lowest stress levels exhibited the highest immune functioning. Analyze this finding: does this pattern represent a positive or a negative correlation, and why?
Question: A researcher reports that in their study, participants who reported the highest levels of stress also exhibited the lowest scores on a measure of immune system functioning, while those with the lowest stress levels exhibited the highest immune functioning. Analyze this finding: does this pattern represent a positive or a negative correlation, and why?
Sample answer: This pattern represents a negative correlation. It is a negative correlation because the two variables—stress level and immune system functioning—move in opposite directions, meaning that higher values on one variable (stress) are associated with lower values on the other variable (immune functioning).
Key points:
- Identify the pattern of results as a negative correlation.
- Explain that stress levels and immune system functioning move in opposite directions.
- Detail that higher scores on one variable (stress) are associated with lower scores on the other (immune functioning).
Rubric: To receive full marks, the student must correctly identify the relationship as a negative correlation and explain that the classification is based on the inverse pattern where higher scores on one variable are associated with lower scores on the other.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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