Question

this series of problems will build your fluency with differentiating between correlation and causation. for each question below, decide whether the scenario describes correlation or causation.

• use the answer key to determine that you accurately answered each question.
• if necessary, revise your work.

1. a study shows that kids who play violent games are more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior.
2. ice cream and air conditioners increase in demand at the same time.
3. khale notices that the scholars in his class with the highest gpas have the most writing utensils in their pencil cases.
4. in the summer of 2023, there were wildfires in canada and smoke in canada.

Explanation:

1. The study links violent games and aggression but does not confirm that games directly cause aggression; it only shows a relationship.
2. Ice cream and AC demand rise together due to warm weather, not one causing the other.
3. High GPAs and pencil erasers are just associated; erasers do not cause good grades.
4. Wildfires and smoke occur together, with wildfires directly producing the smoke, so this is a direct cause-effect.

Answer:

1. Correlation
2. Correlation
3. Correlation
4. Causation