Causation and Correlation
Causation and Correlation
Mary Lee Choate
PSY/285
Due April 6, 2012
Instructor- Chantell Hines
When differentiating between causation and correlation, it is extremely significant in systematic thought. These two notions get confused with one another whether it is a misinterpretation or having the aspiration to provide a reasonable description for scientific observations. As a result, it is crucial to have the understanding of the difference between the two concepts. In this writing I will compare and contrast the concepts of causation and correlation. Correlation is when “an action or occurrence can cause another (such as smoking causes lung cancer), or it can correlate with another (such as smoking is correlated with alcoholism)” (Iadipaolo, 2011, para. 1). When a person smokes they inhale several chemicals which will cause cancer. If someone was to covey a correlation with this data, they could come to a conclusion that the people who smoke are more expected to misuse alcohol. There is no proven fact that smoking causes alcoholism, however, there is a connection between the two concepts. When one action affects another then this means that they are definitely correlated. Causation is “when you say one thing causes another, you are saying that there is a direct line between that one thing and the result. Cause means that an action will always have a predictable reaction” (Conjecture Corporation, 2012). An few examples of causation is when a person presses a button which causes the bell to ring and the disease-causing infection caused several people’s deaths. * Wealthy People are thin.-
This is definitely a correlation because there is no proven fact that all wealthy people are thin. Just because they are rich doesn’t mean that they are all skinny. I guess it all depends on how they eat and exercise just like normal people. * People with long hair do better on audio memory tests.-
This is also a correlation because having long hair has
Mary Lee Choate
PSY/285
Due April 6, 2012
Instructor- Chantell Hines
When differentiating between causation and correlation, it is extremely significant in systematic thought. These two notions get confused with one another whether it is a misinterpretation or having the aspiration to provide a reasonable description for scientific observations. As a result, it is crucial to have the understanding of the difference between the two concepts. In this writing I will compare and contrast the concepts of causation and correlation. Correlation is when “an action or occurrence can cause another (such as smoking causes lung cancer), or it can correlate with another (such as smoking is correlated with alcoholism)” (Iadipaolo, 2011, para. 1). When a person smokes they inhale several chemicals which will cause cancer. If someone was to covey a correlation with this data, they could come to a conclusion that the people who smoke are more expected to misuse alcohol. There is no proven fact that smoking causes alcoholism, however, there is a connection between the two concepts. When one action affects another then this means that they are definitely correlated. Causation is “when you say one thing causes another, you are saying that there is a direct line between that one thing and the result. Cause means that an action will always have a predictable reaction” (Conjecture Corporation, 2012). An few examples of causation is when a person presses a button which causes the bell to ring and the disease-causing infection caused several people’s deaths. * Wealthy People are thin.-
This is definitely a correlation because there is no proven fact that all wealthy people are thin. Just because they are rich doesn’t mean that they are all skinny. I guess it all depends on how they eat and exercise just like normal people. * People with long hair do better on audio memory tests.-
This is also a correlation because having long hair has
References: Conjecture Corporation. (2012). What is the Difference Between Cause and Correlation?. Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-cause-and-correlation.htm Iadipaolo, D. (2011, October 13). Correlation Versus Causation. . Retrieved from http://www.lessonplanet.com/article/math/correlation-versus-causation