Chapter 14. Stress and Health

In this applet, you’ll learn more about relationships by looking at categorical data. We will also discuss issues with using self-reported data.

Statistical Lesson. In previous applets we considered correlations and how we use them to look at a relationship between two variables. These variables were always numerical, meaning we were looking at the relationship between two sets of numbers. Did they increase together or did one increase as the other decreased? But how do we look at a relationship when we have two variables that are categorical? Categorical variables have different groups or categories to them, such as sex, race, college major, occupation, etc. There is no single number being measured, only whether or not someone fits into a particular category.

In order to look at a relationship between these types of categorical variables, for example between sex and college major, we must use tests that compare the frequencies that make up each combination of the two variables. In this case, we’d be looking at whether or not there are any differences in the number of males or females that major in psychology, business, or biology. In other words, are females more likely to be a business, psychology, or biology major? Do females major in these topics at the same rates as males? In this applet we will be looking at the relationship between various categorical variables, such as type of eater and/or sex and eating behaviors. As with correlations, any tests that look at relationships should focus only on that relationship and not imply causality.

Question

Question

Question

Question

Question

Question

Question

Question

Question

Question

Congratulations! You have completed this activity.