In cognitive psychology, which type of correlation best describes the relationship: as the number of hours spent studying falls, the likelihood of getting an A falls?

• A. A negative correlation
• B. A positive correlation
• C. A curvilinear correlation
• D. No correlation

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand what correlation means in psychology. Correlation measures the relationship between two variables, indicating how one variable changes as the other changes.
2. Step 2: Identify the two variables in the problem: the number of hours spent studying and the likelihood of getting an A.
3. Step 3: Analyze the direction of the relationship. The problem states that as the number of hours spent studying falls, the likelihood of getting an A also falls. This means both variables move in the same direction (both decrease together).
4. Step 4: Recall that a positive correlation means both variables increase or decrease together, while a negative correlation means one variable increases as the other decreases.
5. Step 5: Conclude that since both variables decrease together, the relationship is best described by a positive correlation.