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A positive relationship, or positive correlation, occurs when higher scores on one variable tend to be associated with higher scores on another variable. On a scatterplot, this is visually represented by data points that generally trend upward from the lower left to the upper right of the graph.

Positive Relationship

Real-world examples of positive correlations include the relationship between ice cream and crime rates, which both increase when temperatures are warmer. Other examples are the relationship between an individual’s height and weight, and the relationship between a person’s age and the number of wrinkles they have.

Examples of Positive Correlation

A scatterplot illustrating a positive correlation, such as the relationship between weight and height, displays data points that roughly form an upward-sloping line from the bottom left to the top right. This visual pattern indicates that as one variable (weight) increases, the other variable (height) also tends to increase.

Visual Example of Positive Correlation: Height and Weight

A psychologist conducts a study and finds that as the number of hours people spend on social media per week increases, their self-reported feelings of loneliness also tend to increase. Which of the following terms best describes the relationship found between these two variables?

A classic example of a positive correlation is the relationship between an individual's height and weight. As a person's height increases, their weight also tends to increase, demonstrating that the two variables change in the same direction.

Example of Positive Correlation: Height and Weight

A clear demonstration of a positive correlation is the relationship between individuals' stress levels and the number of physical symptoms they experience. When these hypothetical data points are graphed on a scatterplot, the overall trend reveals that as stress scores increase, the frequency of physical symptoms also tends to increase. This upward pattern indicates that the two variables move in the same direction, which is the defining characteristic of a positive relationship.

Example of a Positive Correlation: Stress and Physical Symptoms

A clear example of a positive correlation can be seen when plotting students' scores on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale administered on two occasions a week apart. Because higher scores on the first test are associated with higher scores on the second test, the data points on a scatterplot progress from the lower left to the upper right, visually demonstrating that the variables change in the same direction.

Example of a Positive Relationship: Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale Scores

In psychological research, how is a positive relationship between two variables defined?

In a positive relationship between two variables, such as 'test anxiety' and 'heart rate,' a participant who scores lower than average on the first variable would generally be expected to also score lower than average on the second variable.

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