What does it mean if the correlation between variables A and B is negative?
A)A causes B.
B)B causes A.
C)A and B are unrelated.
D)When A increases, B usually decreases.

Question

What does it mean if the correlation between variables A and B is negative?​
A)A causes B.
B)​B causes A.
C)​A and B are unrelated.
D)​When A increases, B usually decreases.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A negative correlation between variables A and B indicates that when variable A increases, variable B tends to decrease. This does not necessarily mean that one variable causes the other, but rather that there is a relationship between the two variables in which they behave in opposite directions. Option A and Option B are not valid as correlation does not prove causation. Option C is not valid because a negative correlation indicates a relationship, just in the opposite direction.

What Does It Mean If the Correlation Between Variables a and B