SPSS

1. Using the MIDUS2011 data, let’s see if there is a correlation between life satisfaction and two continuous, independent variables such as age and income. To do this:
   
   1. From the menu, select Analyze > Correlate > Bivariate
   2. Drag the variables RA1SR1, RA1PB16, and RA1PRAGE to the box labeled “variables”
   3. Check the box labeled “Pearson” under Correlation Coefficients
   4. Be sure the “flag significant coefficients” box is also checked.
   5. What did you find? Is either of your independent variables correlated with life satisfaction?
2. Might one of the associations you have just identified be spurious because of the effect of a third variable? What might such an extraneous variable be? Look through the variable list and find a variable that might play this role.

Online Analysis

1. Using the MIDUS2011 data online analysis tool, let’s see if there is a correlation between life satisfaction and two continuous, independent variables such as age and income. To do this:
   
   1. At the top banner, select Analysis > Correlation Matrix
   2. Type the variables RA1SR1, RA1PB16, and RA1PRAGE into the boxes under “Variables to Correlate”
   3. Check to be sure that the box beside “Main statistic to display” says “Pearson correlation”
   4. Hit Run Correlation.
   5. What did you find? Is either of your independent variables correlated with life satisfaction?
2. Might one of the associations you have just identified be spurious because of the effect of a third variable? What might such an extraneous variable be? Look through the variable codebook and find a variable that might play this role.