Negative vs positive association
Negative association occurs when the values of two variables move in opposite directions. In other words, as one variable increases, the other variable decreases. For example, there may be a negative association between the amount of exercise one engages in and their body weight. As exercise increases, body weight tends to decrease.
On the other hand, positive association occurs when the values of two variables move in the same direction. As one variable increases, the other variable also increases. For instance, there may be a positive association between the amount of studying a student does and their exam scores. As studying time increases, exam scores tend to increase as well.
It is important to note that the strength of the association can vary. A strong negative or positive association means that the relationship between the variables is strong and predictable, while a weak association implies a less predictable relationship.