Let's carefully analyze the characteristics of a normal distribution. A normal distribution has a bell-shaped curve, which means most of the data points are concentrated around the mean, with fewer data points appearing as you move toward the extremes of the range.
Here are your options, and we'll determine which one correctly fits the description:
1. Asymmetrical: This means that the distribution is not symmetrical. This is not true for a normal distribution, which is indeed symmetrical around the mean.
2. Looped: This does not describe the shape of a normal distribution, as the term "looped" is not commonly used to describe any statistical distributions.
3. Symmetrical: This correctly describes a normal distribution, as it has a symmetrical shape around the mean, meaning the left side is a mirror image of the right side.
4. Lopsided: This implies a distribution that is skewed or not symmetrical. This is also incorrect for a normal distribution.
Given the properties of a normal distribution — symmetrical, bell-shaped, and concentrating most of the scores in the middle — the most appropriate choice is:
symmetrical
Therefore, a normal distribution is a symmetrical, bell-shaped curve, showing the majority of the scores falling in the middle of the possible range and a few scores appearing toward the extremes of the range.
