Causation Vs Correlation Quiz

This is an example of correlation because it suggests a relationship between the variables "age" and "number of toy cars owned." It does not imply that one variable causes the other, but rather that there may be a connection or association between the two.

"Umbrellas cause rainstorms" is the only example that doesn't show CAUSATION. Umbrellas don't cause rainstorms, even though you usually see lots of umbrellas when it's raining. The other examples do show causation. Kryptonite is the reason Superman loses his powers, Water freezes because of temperatures lower than 32˚F, and cars accelerate because someone steps on the gas pedal.

CORRELATION means that two things are related, but one doesn't cause the other - like height and shoe size. Taller people have, on average, larger feet than shorter people. Height doesn't cause shoe size - we all know tall people with small feet, and shorter people with large feet. But the two are definitely related.

This is an example of causation because poison ivy is known to cause rashes. When someone comes into contact with poison ivy, they can develop a rash as a direct result of the interaction. Therefore, there is a cause-and-effect relationship between poison ivy and rashes.

"Skipping lunch causes hunger" is the only example of cause and effect. If you skip lunch, it will cause you to be hungry. Rain does not CAUSE clouds; rain is produced by clouds under some circumstances. Birthdays don't CAUSE people to age; birthdays are celebrations of aging, which is inevitable. Snow does not CAUSE Christmas - Christmas is always on the 25th of December, regardless of the temperature or weather.

CAUSATION means that one thing (the INDEPENDENT variable) CAUSES another (the DEPENDENT variable).