Chapter 3: Correlation vs. Causation

Correlation

When two variables relate to each other

Positive correlation

Variables change together in the same direction

Negative correlation

Variables change together in opposite directions

Spurious Correlation

An artificial, false, or inaccurate correlation

Coincidence

Happen at the same time; are they happening together?

Causation

One thing causes the other, the outcome

Temporal order

The sequence in which events occur

Third variable

Also known as noise, a variable that may affect the relationship

Control

Managing internal and external variables that impact behavior

Individual differences

Variations among individuals that affect behavior

Demographics

Trait data related to population characteristics

Directionality

Which way does the causal relationship flow?

Confirmation bias

Seeing what we want or expect to see

Selection bias

Participant sample is skewed

Hawthorne effect

Participants behave differently when studied