Interpreting Correlations

Each of the following describes the outcome of a hypothetical correlational study. With both the directionality problem and the third variable problem in mind, describe at least two ways of interpreting each.

1. There is a positive correlation between the level of dominance shown by mothers and the level of shyness shown by children.

2. There is a positive correlation between the number of books found in the home and the college GPA's of students coming from those homes.

3. Seating location in class is correlated with grades--the closer to the front, the higher the grade.

4. There is a negative correlation between grades and test anxiety.