Positive Correlations of Different Strengths These graphs illustrate different degrees of positive correlation between two variables. When there are few exceptions to the rule X = Y, then the correlation is strong and r is closer to 1 (see Figure 2.8a). When there are many exceptions to this rule, the correlation is weak and r is closer to 0 (see Figure 2.8c). Negative correlations can be just as strong as positive correlations. The only difference is that for positive correlations, greater values of X are associated with greater values of Y and for negative correlations, greater values of X are associated with lesser values of Y.