National Counselor Exam (NCE)

A correlation coefficient of -.43 indicates what type of relationship?

1. A strong positive relationship

2. A weak negative relationship

3. A moderately negative relationship

4. No relationship

The correct answer is: A moderately negative relationship

A correlation coefficient of -.43 signifies a moderately negative relationship between the two variables being analyzed. The value of the correlation coefficient ranges from -1 to +1, where the negative sign indicates an inverse relationship; as one variable increases, the other tends to decrease. The strength of this relationship can be gauged by the absolute value of the coefficient. Values closer to -1 indicate a stronger negative relationship, while those closer to 0 suggest a weaker relationship. A coefficient of -.43 demonstrates a moderate negative correlation, suggesting a noteworthy but not overwhelmingly strong inverse relationship. This means that there is a tendency for one variable to decrease when the other variable increases, but the correlation is not so strong that one variable strictly dictates the trend of the other. Understanding this helps in interpreting data relationships in the context of counseling and psychological measurements, where such correlations can often provide insights into behavioral or emotional trends.