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All 10 Flashcards — Correlation vs causation
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Question
What is a correlation?
Answer
A finding that two things tend to change together (rise or fall in step).
Question
What is causation?
Answer
When one thing actually makes another happen — a stronger claim than correlation.
Question
Why is 'correlation is not causation' important?
Answer
Two things can move together without one causing the other, so causal claims need more than a correlation.
Question
What is a third variable?
Answer
A hidden factor that causes both correlated things (e.g. hot weather → ice cream + drownings).
Question
What is reverse causation?
Answer
When the causal direction is the opposite of what was assumed — B causes A, not A causes B.
Question
Which method can show causation?
Answer
A controlled experiment — it changes one variable while holding others constant.
Question
Why can't a correlational study show cause?
Answer
It cannot rule out third variables or reverse causation, or control other factors.
Question
Give an example of a misleading correlation.
Answer
More churches ↔ more crime (both driven by a bigger population — a third variable).
Question
Which concept is this?
Answer
Causality — one of the four named concepts for Paper 2 Section B.
Question
What is a correlation good for, then?
Answer
Spotting a real link that is worth testing properly with an experiment.
Read the notes
Full study notes for Correlation vs causation
Topic 1.2 hub
Causality
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