Final answer:
The standard deviation indicates the spread of scores about the mean in a data set, with smaller values representing less variability and larger values indicating a greater spread of data points. So the correct answer is Option b.
Step-by-step explanation:
The standard deviation is a measure that indicates the spread of scores around the mean in a data set. It is calculated as the square root of the variance and is represented using the notation s for sample standard deviation and σ (sigma) for population standard deviation. This measure is always positive or zero, with a standard deviation of zero indicating no spread among the data values—they are all the same. A small standard deviation suggests that the data points tend to be very close to the mean, thus exhibiting little variability. Conversely, a larger standard deviation indicates that the data points are spread out over a larger range of values, showing more variability and hence a greater spread around the mean.