#statistics 

**Positive relationship** - occurs insofar as pairs of scores tend to occupy similar relative positions (high with high and low with low) in their respective [[Frequency distribution|distributions]]

**Negative relationship** - occurs insofar as pairs of scores tend to occupy dissimilar relative positions (high with low and vice versa) in the respective distributions

![[Pasted image 20230902213016.png]]

## Identifying
### Scatterplots
A **scatterplot** is a graph containing a cluster of dots that represents all pairs of scores
![[Pasted image 20230902213629.png]]

The more closely the dot cluster approximates a straight line, the stronger (the more regular) the relationship will be

#### Relationship strength
Perfect relationship - a dot cluster that *equals* a straight line reflects a perfect relationship between two variables
Linear relationship - a relationship that can be described best with a straight line
Curvilinear relationship - a relationship that can be described best with a curved line

## Types
### Cause-effect and correlation
Correlation != cause-effect

Experimental confirmation of a correlation can provide strong evidence in favour of a cause-effect interpretation of the observed relationship