Fun with Correlations!

Today in class we'll be exploring correlational research designs and related statistical techniques. We'll be using a couple of links for today's activities.

• Activity One: Matching Scatterplots and Correlation Coefficients

We also may have the chance to investigate some bizarre correlations. If not, these links are worth checking out on your own time:

• Spurious Correlations
• Google Correlation Finder

Practice with Correlation Coeffecients

Need some practice matching Scatterplots to their Correlation Coefficients? Try this link: http://www.istics.net/Correlations/ 

By request, here is the Spurious Correlations website I shared in class, as well. :) Enjoy the ridiculous, but real, correlations!

Facebook: Spawn of Satan?

There have been no shortage of articles and editorials decrying young people's fascination with the social networking site Facebook. The much-loved and much-maligned time-waster has attracted the attention of researchers in psychology and in education, as well as the casual columnist. Here's a smattering of recent news about Facebook (brace yourself...much of it is not pretty):

• "What Facebook Users Share: Lower Grades" - TIME Magazine article comments on recently released research indicating that Facebook users have, on average, lower grades than their non-Facebook using counterparts. Yikes! However, kudos to author Anita Hamilton for including critical analysis of this research: correlation does not equal causation, so it's too early to claim that Facebook actually lowers your GPA. Perhaps easily distractable procrastinators (who were likely to get lower grades anyway)are just drawn to it?
• "Facebook Profiles Out Narcissism" - Article outlines research supporting something many of us have suspected for some time: that Facebook is a playground for narcissists. How could a narcissist resist a site that allows you to manipulate how you're viewed by others, constantly broadcast your "status" to everyone you know, and post flattering (or not-so-flattering) profile pictures of yourself? The not-so-ground-breaking news? They're as easy to spot online as they are in real life.
• "25 Things I Didn't Want to Know About You" - TIME editorial discusses the annoying online meme: the "25 Things About Me" post.

Hey, it can't be all bad! Here's a different take: "Facebook's Latest Role: College Guidance Counselor". Maybe when we're not playing Mafia Wars or voting on which friend is the most outgoing, we actually can get useful information from this site.

A Failing Economy...And Fewer Shark Attacks?

Savvy psychology students know that correlation does not equal causation. Here's more proof if you need it.

In a perfect example of how a "hidden third factor" can explain both variables in a correlation, shark attacks have apparently decreased with the declining U.S. economy. Is is because sharks pay attention to the Dow Jones Industrial average? No. Nor do they have more pity on penniless surfers.

Follow the link to find out why Shark Attacks Decline: Ailing Economy to Blame