What does a positive correlation indicate about two variables?

A positive correlation indicates that as one variable increases, the other variable also tends to increase. This relationship signifies that the two variables move in the same direction. When the correlation coefficient is calculated and found to be positive (ranging from 0 to 1), it reflects this tendency. For instance, in a study examining the connection between study hours and exam scores, a positive correlation would suggest that more study hours are associated with higher exam scores.

This understanding is fundamental in psychology research as it helps to identify and predict relationships between different behaviors, attitudes, or characteristics. It is critical to note that positive correlation does not imply causation, meaning that it does not indicate that one variable causes the other to change, but rather that there is a relationship between the two.