Which of the following coefficients probably best reflects the correlation between intelligence test scores and scores on a measure of working memory capacity?
A) .95
B) -.45
C) .45
D) .00

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A positive correlation is expected between intelligence test scores and scores on a measure of working memory capacity, as working memory is an important component of intelligence. However, the correlation is not perfect (i.e. a coefficient of 1.00) and is unlikely to be very high. A coefficient of .95 is too high to be realistic and suggests that the two measures may be measuring essentially the same construct. A coefficient of D (.00) suggests no correlation at all, which is unlikely given the known relationship between working memory and intelligence. A coefficient of B (-.45) suggests a negative correlation, which is also unlikely given the expected positive correlation. Therefore, the best choice is C (.45), which suggests a moderate positive correlation between intelligence test scores and scores on a measure of working memory capacity.

Which of the Following Coefficients Probably Best Reflects the Correlation