MODULE 3 - Central Tendency

Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY JPLPC-Malvar

Malvar, Batangas
Tel. Nos.: (043) 778-2170/ (043) 406-0830 loc. 122
Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph
Course Code PSY 303

Course Description Psychological Statistics
Week 4
MODULE 3: CENTRAL TENDENCY
https://www.thoughtco.com/measures-of-central-tendency-3026706
Module Introduction
In this module, we introduce the statistical techniques used to identify the typical
or average score for a distribution. Although there are several reasons for defining the
average score, the primary advantage of an average is that it provides a single number that
describes an entire distribution and can be used for comparison with other distributions.
Intended Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:
1. Define the mean and calculate both the population mean and the sample mean.
2. Describe and calculate the median, and find the precise median for a continuous
variable.
3. Identify and identify the mode(s) for a distribution, including the major and minor
modes for a binomial distribution.
4. Explain how the three measures of central tendency—mean, median, and mode—
are related to each other for symmetrical and skewed distributions.
College of Arts and Sciences - Psychology Department

Instructional Material: PSY 303 Psychological Statistics
2nd Semester, A.Y. 2020-2021 1
Malvar, Batangas
Tel. Nos.: (043) 778-2170/ (043) 406-0830 loc. 122
Module Content
CENTRAL TENDENCY
The general purpose of descriptive statistical methods is to organize and summarize
a set of scores. Perhaps the most common method for summarizing and describing a
distribution is to find a single value that defines the average score and can serve as a typical
example to represent the entire distribution. In statistics, the concept of an average or
representative score is called central tendency. The goal in measuring central tendency is
to describe a distribution of scores by determining a single value that identifies the center
of the distribution. Ideally, this central value will be the score that is the best representative
value for all of the individuals in the distribution.
Why Is Central Tendency Important?

• Central tendency is very useful in psychology. It lets us know what is normal or
'average' for a set of data. It also condenses the data set down to one representative
value, which is useful when you are working with large amounts of data.
• Central tendency also allows you to compare one data set to another.
• Central tendency is also useful when you want to compare one piece of data to the
entire data set.
3.1 THE MEAN
The mean, also known as the arithmetic average, is computed by adding all the
scores in the distribution and dividing by the number of scores. The mean for a population
is identified by the Greek letter mu, 𝜇 (pronounced “mew”), and the mean for a sample is
identified by M or X (read “x-bar”).
The convention in many statistics textbooks is to use X to represent the mean for a
sample. However, in manuscripts and in published research reports the letter M is the
standard notation for a sample mean. Because you will encounter the letter M when reading
research reports and because you should use the letter M when writing research reports, we
have decided to use the same notation in this text.
PROPERTIES OF THE MEAN

1. It can be calculated for any set of numerical data, so it always exists.
2. A set of numerical data has one and only one mean, so it is always unique.
3. It leans itself to further statistical treatment (for instance, the means of several sets
of data can be combined into overall mean of all data)
4. It is relatively reliable in the sense that the means of many samples drawn from the
same population usually do not fluctuate, or vary, as widely as other satisfies used
to estimate the population mean (𝜇)
5. The mean is the most appropriate central measure when the data is in the interval
or ratio scale.
FORMULA FOR THE UNGROUPED DATA

Sample Mean Population Mean
X = ΣX 𝜇 = ΣX
n n
where: ΣX – sum of all values in the distribution
n – number of the observations

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Example 1: Given that during 12 months of 2011 a state auditor 5, 2, 1, 3, 3, 8, 6, 7, 4, 1,

2, and 6 calls to her telephone credit card, find the mean (average number of charge per
month).
X = ΣX
n
X = 48
12
X=4
Example 2: The sample of n = 5 high precision spring driven motors is taken from a
production lot of N = 100, 000 such motors. The motors are wound and started, and their
running times clocked at 3.50, 3.65, 3.55, 3.58, and 3.52. Find their mean running time.
X = ΣX
n
X = 17.8
5
X = 3.56
THE WEIGHTED MEAN

A weighted mean is a kind of average. Instead of each data point contributing
equally to the final mean, some data points contribute more “weight” than others. If all
the weights are equal, then the weighted mean equals the arithmetic mean (the regular
“average” you're used to).
FORMULA FOR THE WEIGHTED MEAN:

Weighted Mean
X = Σwx
Σw
where: w – weight of each value

x – observation
Example 3: Compute the weighted mean grade of the student enrolled in 6 subjects
shown below:
Subject No. of Units (w) Grade (x) wx
1 3 2.00 6.00
2 3 3.00 9.00
3 5 1.25 6.25
4 1 3.00 3.00
5 2 2.50 5.00
6 3 2.50 7.50
Σw = 17 Σwx = 36.75
X = Σwx
Σw
X = 36.75
17
X = 2.16

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FORMULA FOR THE GROUPED DATA

Method 1 Method 2
X = Σfx X = AM + Σfd c
n n
where: where:
f – frequency of each class d – unit deviation
x – class midpoint/ Class mark c – size of class interval
n – sample size or population AM – Assumed mean (class mark)
Example 4: Method 1
Determine the mean of the following distribution of the aptitude scores of 150
applicants.
x
SCORE f fx
(x =L+U/2)
90-99 2 94.5 189
80-89 10 84.5 845
70-79 17 74.5 1266.5
60-69 32 64.5 2064
50-59 42 54.5 2289
40-49 31 44.5 1379.5
30-39 9 34.5 310.5
20-29 6 24.5 147
10-19 1 14.5 14.5
Total n = 150 Σfx = 8505
X = Σfx/n
X = 8505/150
X = 56.7
Method 2
x
SCORE f d fd
(x =L+U/2)
90-99 2 94.5 4 8
80-89 10 84.5 3 30
70-79 17 74.5 2 34
60-69 32 64.5 1 32
50-59 42 54.5 0 0
40-49 31 44.5 -1 -31
30-39 9 34.5 -2 -18
20-29 6 24.5 -3 -18
10-19 1 14.5 -4 -4
Total n = 150 33

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Mean: X = 56.7
X = AM + Σfd c
n
X = 54.5 + [33/150] 10
X = 54.5 + [0.22] 10
X = 54.5 + 2.2
X = 56.7
3.2 MEDIAN
The second measure of central tendency we will consider is called the median.
The goal of the median is to locate the midpoint of the distribution. Unlike the mean,
there are no specific symbols or notation to identify the median. Instead, the median is
simply identified by the word median. In addition, the definition and computations for the
median are identical for a sample and for a population.
PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIAN

1. Like the mean, the median also exists in any distribution.
2. The median is unique for a given set of data.
3. The median is not influenced by extreme values.
4. The median is the most appropriate central measure when the data is in the ordinal
scale.
5. The median is used when the middle value is the one needed. This is the value
where a half or 50% of the distribution lies below it and the other half or the other
50% lies above it.
FORMULA FOR THE UNGROUPED DATA

If n is odd number If n is even number
𝒏+𝟏 𝑛 𝑛+1
x͂ = X 𝑋
2
+ 𝑋
2
𝟐 x͂ =
2
where: X – ordered list of values in data set

n – number of values in data set
Example 5:
a. Find the median of the following values: 24, 10, 36, 42, 39, 52, 30, 25, 26
First, arrange the given values in ascending order: 10, 21, 25, 26, 30, 36, 39, 42, 52
𝒏+𝟏
x͂ = X
𝟐
9+1
x͂ =
2
x͂ = 5
x͂ = 30

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Tel. Nos.: (043) 778-2170/ (043) 406-0830 loc. 122
b. On the ten days, a bank had 18, 13, 15, 12, 8, 3, 7, 14, 16, and 3 foreign currency
transactions. Find the medium.
First, arrange the given values in ascending order: 3, 3, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18
𝑛 𝑛+1
𝑋 + 𝑋
2 2
x͂ =
2
10 10
+ +1
2 2
x͂ =
2
5+6
x͂ =
2
12+13
x͂ =
2
x͂ = 12.5

𝒏
−<𝒄𝒇
𝟐
x͂ = Xlb + [ ]c
𝒇𝒎
where:
Xlb – refers to the lowest boundary of the median
<cf – the cumulative frequency before the median class
fm – frequency of the median class
c – size of the class interval
Example 6: Determine the median of the distribution.

SCORE f <cf
90-99 2 150
80-89 10 148
70-79 17 138
60-69 32 121
50-59 42 89
40-49 31 47
30-39 9 16
20-29 6 7
10-19 1 1
Total n = 150
𝑛
−<𝑐𝑓
2
x͂ = Xlb + [ ]c
𝑓𝑚
150
− 47
2
x͂ = 49.5 + [ ] 10
42
75− 47
x͂ = 49.5 + [ ] 10
42
x͂ = 56.17

Malvar, Batangas
Tel. Nos.: (043) 778-2170/ (043) 406-0830 loc. 122
3.3 THE MODE
The final measure of central tendency that we will consider is called the mode. It
refers to the most frequent value in the distribution. In its common usage, the word mode
means “the customary fashion” or “a popular style.” The statistical definition is similar in
that the mode is the most common observation among a group of scores.
PROPERTIES OF THE MODE

1. It does not always exist.
2. If the mode exists, it is not always unique.
3. The mode is the most appropriate central measure when the data is classified as
nominal scale.
4. The mode is sometimes referred as the inspection average, since it is a quick
approximation of the average.
5. The mode is the least reliable central measure because its value is not defined in
some distributions.
FINDING THE MODE OF UNGROUPED DATA

To find the mode, or modal value, it is best to put the numbers in ascending order.
Then count how many of each number. A number that appears most often is the mode.
Example 7:
3, 7, 5, 13, 20, 23, 39, 23, 40, 23, 14, 12, 56, 23, 29
In order these numbers are:
3, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 20, 23, 23, 23, 23, 29, 39, 40, 56
This makes it easy to see which numbers appear most often. In this case the mode is 23.
Example 8:
1, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 6, 6, 6, 9
3 appears three times, as does 6. So there are two modes: at 3 and 6.
Having two modes is called bimodal. Having more than two modes is called
multimodal.
Example 9:
21, 23, 16, 15, 26, 27, 19, 24
There is no modal value in the given data.
𝒅𝟏
x̂ = Xlb + [ ]c
𝒅𝟏+𝒅𝟐
where:
Xlb – refers to the lowest boundary of the modal class
d1 – the difference of the frequency of the modal class and the
frequency of the interval preceeding the modal class
d2 – the difference of the frequency of the modal class and the
frequency of the interval after the modal class
c – size of the class interval

Malvar, Batangas
Tel. Nos.: (043) 778-2170/ (043) 406-0830 loc. 122
Example 10: Determine the mode of the distribution.

SCORE f <cf
90-99 2 150
80-89 10 148
70-79 17 138
60-69 32 121
50-59 42 89
40-49 31 47
30-39 9 16
20-29 6 7
10-19 1 1
Total n = 150
𝑑1
x̂ = Xlb + [ ]c d1 = 42-31 = 11 d2 = 42-32 = 10
𝑑1+𝑑2
11
x̂ = 49.5 + [ ] 10
11+10
x̂ = 54.74
3.4 CENTRAL TENDENCY AND THE SHAPE OF THE DISTRIBUTION
SYMMETRICAL DISTRIBUTIONS
For a symmetrical distribution, the right-hand side of the graph is a mirror image
of the left-hand side. If a distribution is perfectly symmetrical, the median is exactly at the
center because exactly half of the area in the graph will be on either side of the center. The
mean also is exactly at the center of a perfectly symmetrical distribution because each score
on the left side of the distribution is balanced by a corresponding score (the mirror image)
on the right side. As a result, the mean (the balance point) is located at the center of the
distribution. Thus, for a perfectly symmetrical distribution, the mean and the median are
the same (Figure 3.1). If a distribution is roughly symmetrical, but not perfect, the mean
and median will be close together in the center of the distribution.
If a symmetrical distribution has only one mode, it will also be in the center of the
distribution. Thus, for a perfectly symmetrical distribution with one mode, all three
measures of central tendency—the mean, median, and mode—have the same value. For a
roughly symmetrical distribution, the three measures are clustered together in the center of
the distribution. On the other hand, a bimodal distribution that is symmetrical (see Figure
3.1(b)) will have the mean and median together in the center with the modes on each side.
A rectangular distribution (see Figure 3.1(c)) has no mode because all X values occur with
the same frequency. Still, the mean and the median are in the center of the distribution.
Figure 3.11 Measures of central tendency for three symmetrical distributions: normal,
bimodal, and rectangular.
Malvar, Batangas
Tel. Nos.: (043) 778-2170/ (043) 406-0830 loc. 122
SKEWED DISTRIBUTIONS
In skewed distributions, especially distributions for continuous variables, there is a
strong tendency for the mean, median, and mode to be located in predictably different
positions. Figure 3.2(a), for example, shows a positively skewed distribution with the peak
(highest frequency) on the left-hand side. This is the position of the mode. However, it
should be clear that the vertical line drawn at the mode does not divide the distribution into
two equal parts. To have exactly 50% of the distribution on each side, the median must be
located to the right of the mode. Finally, the mean is typically located to the right of the
median because it is influenced most by the extreme scores in the tail and is displaced
farthest to the right toward the tail of the distribution. Therefore, in a positively skewed
distribution, the most likely order of the three measures of central tendency from smallest
to largest (left to right) is the mode, median, and mean.
Negatively skewed distributions are lopsided in the opposite direction, with the
scores piling up on the right-hand side and the tail tapering off to the left. The grades on an
easy exam, for example, tend to form a negatively skewed distribution (see Figure 3.2(b)).
For a distribution with negative skew, the mode is on the right-hand side (with the peak),
while the mean is displaced toward the left by the extreme scores in the tail. As before, the
median is usually located between the mean and the mode. Therefore, in a negatively
skewed distribution, the most probable order for the three measures of central tendency
from smallest value to largest value (left to right), is the mean, median, and mode.
Figure 3.2 Measures of central tendency for skewed distributions

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Tel. Nos.: (043) 778-2170/ (043) 406-0830 loc. 122
End of Module Assessment
Module Activity: Computing Measures of Central Tendency

Calculate Mean, Median, Mode from the following grouped data. Attach your
computation either type written or hand written.
Class Interval Frequency Class Mark fx <cf
70 - 79 3
60 - 69 8
50 - 59 10
40 - 49 15
30 - 39 9
20 - 29 6
10 - 19 2
Solution:
Other Assessments:
• Online Recitation – This will incorporate a video conference within online
teaching to give learning a more personal touch. During scheduled brief online
interviews, students can demonstrate their proficiency in most essential topics.
(Google Meet/FB Messenger)
• Online Activities – These are integral part of the course. This may come in various
tasks such as group work, individual activity, research work, extended reading and
the like. This will provide opportunities for the students to transfer the concepts
they have learned in class to a more concrete situation and to equally participate in
class discussion.
Learning Reference
Gravetter, F.J. & Wallnau, L.B. (2016). Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, 10th Edition;
Boston, MA: Cengage
2nd Semester, A.Y. 2020-2021 10
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MODULE 3 - Central Tendency

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Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY JPLPC-Malvar

Course Code PSY 303

MODULE 3: CENTRAL TENDENCY

Intended Learning Objectives

College of Arts and Sciences - Psychology Department

Why Is Central Tendency Important?

3.1 THE MEAN

PROPERTIES OF THE MEAN

FORMULA FOR THE UNGROUPED DATA

College of Arts and Sciences - Psychology Department

Example 1: Given that during 12 months of 2011 a state auditor 5, 2, 1, 3, 3, 8, 6, 7, 4, 1,

THE WEIGHTED MEAN

FORMULA FOR THE WEIGHTED MEAN:

where: w – weight of each value

College of Arts and Sciences - Psychology Department

FORMULA FOR THE GROUPED DATA

College of Arts and Sciences - Psychology Department

PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIAN

FORMULA FOR THE UNGROUPED DATA

where: X – ordered list of values in data set

College of Arts and Sciences - Psychology Department

FORMULA FOR THE GROUPED DATA

Example 6: Determine the median of the distribution.

College of Arts and Sciences - Psychology Department

3.3 THE MODE

PROPERTIES OF THE MODE

FINDING THE MODE OF UNGROUPED DATA

FORMULA FOR THE GROUPED DATA

College of Arts and Sciences - Psychology Department

Example 10: Determine the mode of the distribution.

3.4 CENTRAL TENDENCY AND THE SHAPE OF THE DISTRIBUTION

Figure 3.2 Measures of central tendency for skewed distributions

College of Arts and Sciences - Psychology Department

End of Module Assessment

Module Activity: Computing Measures of Central Tendency

College of Arts and Sciences - Psychology Department

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