What describes a negative correlation in statistical terms?

A negative correlation in statistical terms indicates that as one variable increases, the other variable decreases. This relationship reflects an inverse connection between the two variables, meaning they move in opposite directions.

For instance, if you were to observe that as the number of hours spent studying increases, the number of hours spent on leisure activities decreases, this would demonstrate a negative correlation.

Choosing this option is appropriate because it captures the essence of a negative correlation, which is characterized by one variable gaining in value while the other loses. In contrast, other options describe different relationships: a positive correlation (where both variables increase or decrease together) or a linear relationship without specifying the direction of the correlation.