Question

In a reanalysis of published studies, twenge and im (2007) found that for the time period 1958–2001, the need for social approval of people in the united states was negatively correlated with the u.s. divorce rate during the same period (the correlation coefficient was –0.38). this correlation means that:

Answer 1

This correlation means that: AS THE NEED FOR SOCIAL APPROVAL INCREASES, THE DIVORCE RATE DECREASES.
In negative correlation, the two measures that are been considered usually have inverse relationship between them, that is, as one is increasing, the other one will be decreasing.