Among a sample of middle-school students, Dr. Dyer finds a correlation of -.60 between the time children spend outside each week and their scores on an index of depression. Each of the following interpretations is consistent with this data EXCEPT:
A)Depression prevents children from spending time outside.
B)Spending time outside prevents children from becoming depressed.
C)A personality trait, such as openness to experience, is related both to spending time outside and to susceptibility to depression.
D)There is a perfect relationship between spending time outside and depression.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct interpretation of a correlation of -.60 is that there is a negative relationship between the two variables, meaning as one increases, the other tends to decrease. However, this correlation does not imply a perfect relationship (-1 or 1 would indicate a perfect correlation), making option D incorrect. Options A, B, and C are all plausible interpretations that do not assume a perfect correlation.

Among a Sample of Middle-School Students, Dr