What is a negative correlation in psychology?

In psychology, a negative correlation refers to a relationship between two variables where they move in opposite directions. This means that as one variable increases, the other variable decreases and vice versa.

For example, a negative correlation can be seen between the amount of stress a person experiences and their overall sense of well-being. As stress levels increase, well-being decreases. This negative correlation suggests that higher levels of stress are associated with lower levels of well-being.

Negative correlations are commonly studied in psychology to understand the relationships between different variables and how they interact with each other. By examining negative correlations, researchers can gain insights into potential causal relationships and make predictions about behavior and mental health outcomes.

It is important to note that a negative correlation does not necessarily imply causation. While two variables may be related in an inverse manner, it does not mean that one variable causes the other to change. Additional research and analysis are needed to establish a causal relationship between variables that show a negative correlation.