Correlational Study In a correlational study, the researcher does not actively manipulate any variable, but observes/measures two or more already existing dependent variables to find relationships between them. → Correlation coefficient (not in chapter) f.e. study on relationship between parents' disciplinary styles (independent) & children's behavioral development (dependent) by Diana Baumrind in 1971 → simply observed families (can't change anything) by questionnaires or home observations Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Authoritarian Authoritative Permissive (high parental power) (more democratic) (parental laxity) → scored better than other two (f.e. in cooperation) → limitations: could be influenced by so much more (genes/personality/family behavior of parents not constant) Spurious correlations: variables that seem to have a correlation but actually have nothing to do with each other