There is an increasing interest in how lifestyle factors affect psychological well-being. A researcher conducted a study to investigate the relationship between weekly physical exercise and anxiety levels in young people.
The researcher obtained an opportunity sample of 10 students, aged 17 to 18 years, from a local college. Each student self-reported the average number of hours they spent on physical exercise (such as sports, gym sessions, or running) per week.
Each student also completed a standardized anxiety questionnaire, which provided a score out of 50. A higher score indicated a higher level of anxiety, while a lower score indicated a lower level of anxiety.
The raw data collected in the study are shown in Table 1 below.
Table 1: The weekly hours of physical exercise and anxiety scores of 10 college students
| Student | Hours of physical exercise per week | Anxiety score (out of 50) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 38 |
| 2 | 12 | 8 |
| 3 | 3 | 35 |
| 4 | 8 | 15 |
| 5 | 0 | 42 |
| 6 | 10 | 12 |
| 7 | 5 | 28 |
| 8 | 6 | 22 |
| 9 | 2 | 37 |
| 10 | 7 | 19 |
Based on the data provided in Table 1, identify the relationship shown. Explain your answer.
19 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Psychology Correlations. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.