Question

multiple choice 1 point
interpret the association.

during george bushs presidency there was a strong negative correlation between the stock market performance and his approval ratings.

therefore, it can be concluded that:

higher approval ratings were the result of a better performing stock market.
lower approval ratings were the result of a better performing stock market.
approval ratings tended to rise as stock prices rose.
approval ratings tended to fall as stock prices rose.

Explanation:

A strong negative correlation means that as one variable increases, the other tends to decrease. Here, stock market performance (stock prices) and approval ratings have a negative correlation. So when stock prices (market performance) rise, approval ratings tend to fall. Let's analyze each option:

• First option: Suggests positive correlation (approval up with stock up) – wrong.
• Second option: Doesn't fit negative correlation logic (lower approval with better stock – but negative correlation is about direction, not this causal misinterpretation here, and also the direction is wrong as per negative correlation).
• Third option: Suggests positive correlation – wrong.
• Fourth option: Matches negative correlation (approval falls as stock prices rise).

Answer:

D. approval ratings tended to fall as stock prices rose.