Correlation between the spin-independent and spin-dependent direct detection of dark matter

We study the correlation between spin-independent and spin-dependent scattering in the context of minimal supersymmetric standard model neutralino dark matter for both thermal and nonthermal histories. We explore the generality of this relationship with reference to other models. We discuss why either fine-tuning or numerical coincidences are necessary for the correlation to break down. We derive upper bounds on spin-dependent scattering mediated by a Z{sup 0} boson.