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Glite Dictionary
negative correlation

negative correlation

1 4.6
A connection between two things where one goes up as the other goes down
  • noun
  • /ˈnɛɡətɪv ˌkɔrəˈleɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : correlación negativa
  • The study showed there was a negative correlation in the relationship between in-class texting and final grade scores.
  • significant negative correlation
  • strong negative correlation
  • moderate negative correlation

Examples

  • In fact, Huebner, Funk, and Gilman (2000) reported strong negative correlations between adolescent life satisfaction and internalizing disorders.

    Academic text (2008)

  • The results provide some support for the hypothesis that there would be significant negative correlations between P-E fit and stress.

    Academic text (1992)

  • Well, let's look at what happens if we consider negative correlations between the two assets.

  • But I did not know that there could be a negative correlation between mental health and vaping.

  • Based on these findings, we predicted a negative correlation between the two variables.

    Academic text (1994)

  • Need for privacy had a strong, significant, negative correlation with craving for power.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Two interesting variables showed a small negative correlation with persistence: course levels and previous education.

    Academic text (1995)

  • A statistically significant negative correlation also appeared between Communality and Love of Adventure (Table 1).

    Academic text (1998)

  • The study revealed a clear negative correlation between increased screen time and physical fitness levels.

  • Researchers found a significant negative correlation between stress levels and sleep quality in their participants.

Synonyms

indirect correlation
vsnegative correlation
  • Specialized
7.1

A relationship between two things where one goes up while the other goes down

has identical meaning but uses different wording

Antonyms

positive correlation
1 3.6

When one thing goes up or down, the other goes the same way

Surface Forms

negative correlation singular
negative correlations plural

Morphology

negative + correlation

The meaning 'an increase in one variable is associated with a decrease in the other' follows directly from combining 'negative' (indicating a negative or opposite direction) with 'correlation' (a relationship between variables). Although statistical, this modifier+noun composition is predictable and cross-linguistically common, so a learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The term negative correlation comes from a simple image: negative means 'opposite' and correlation means a link between two things. Imagine a seesaw or two arrows: as one goes up the other goes down, so the phrase means 'when one thing rises, the other falls'.