Suppose Distribution A had a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10 while Distribution B had a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 15. A score of 55 would be relatively
A) more extreme in A
B) more extreme in B
C) the same distance from the mean in both distributions.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A score of 55 is 0.5 standard deviations from the mean in Distribution A (since 55 - 50 = 5, and 5 / 10 = 0.5), but only 1/3 of a standard deviation from the mean in Distribution B (since 55 - 50 = 5, and 5 / 15 = 1/3). Therefore, the score is more extreme in Distribution A, where the standard deviation is smaller.

Suppose Distribution a Had a Mean of 50 and a Standard