In a series of 3 experiments, the authors investigated the influence of symmetry of variables on children's and adults' data interpretation. They hypothesized that symmetrical (i.e., present/present) variables would support correct interpretations more than asymmetrical (i.e., present/absent) variables. Participants were asked to judge covariation…

The authors asked 74 teachers to predict average- and low-performing students' reading performance using a rating scale and actual curriculum-based measures of oral reading fluency. The authors compared teachers' judgments with students' performance on curriculum-based measures and a standardized achievement measure of reading. Comparisons between…