SPSS dataset complete_mooney_bp.sav, which can be found in Doc Sharing, was collected by Ms. Kim Mooney in 1989 as part of completing her dissertation at UNH. The dataset was collected to assist in exploring the relationship between the “effect of social stress on blood pressure.” This was investigated by collecting data at six different points (i. preliminary baseline, ii. second baseline, iii. rehearsal and preparation for role play, iv. stressful role play exercise, v. first baseline follow-up, vi. second baseline follow-up). You will need to install the PASW Grad Pack 18.0 in order to download the dataset.
Ms. Mooney collected data on the Rathus Assertiveness scale and the Crowne Marlowe Social Desirability Scale, which contained subscales for “anger in” (the tendency to hold anger “in”), and “anger out” (the tendency to “express anger openly”).
Employing this data, we would like to explore the relationship between assertiveness and the tendency to express anger openly. We will examine a Pearson’s r to help us examine this relationship. Then, we will examine the relationship between assertiveness and whether one holds anger “in.” To explore this question, we will run a bivariate regression procedure.
Open the SPSS dataset complete_mooney_bp.sav into SPSS.
Choose "analyze," then "correlate," then "bivariate." Move the variables "rath" and "axout" into the “Variables” window (these are respectively the measures of assertiveness and the tendency to “express anger openly.”)
Make sure “Pearson” is checked in the Correlation Coefficient window. Choose "options," check "means and standard deviations" in the Statistics window, then check "continue," then "OK" to run the analysis.
Based on this analysis, answer the following questions:
What are the means and standard deviations of the two variables, “rath” and “axout”?
What is the Pearson r?
What is the p value (“significance level”)? What does this p value mean?
How does the n (sample size) of this sample affect the r and p values?
Now, we turn our attention to our bivariate regression question. Is there a relationship between assertiveness and whether one holds anger “in”?