Correlation vs. Causation

A correlation shows that two things

• Are Related

• Cause Each Other to Happen

• Are Unrelated

Correlation or Causation?

The speed you drive and the amount of fuel you use

• Correlation

• Causation

Correlation or Causation?

The inches of snowfall and the number of heart attacks

• Correlation

• Causation

Correlation or Causation?

The number of times you come to tutoring and your test scores improving

• Correlation

• Causation

Correlation or Causation?

When it rains several inches, the water level of a lake increases

• Correlation

• Causation

Correlation or Causation?

When there is more protein in an athlete's diet, the athlete scores more points in a game

• Correlation

• Causation

The situation has correlation. Does it represent causation or just correlation?

The number of cars traveling over a busy holiday weekend and the number of accidents reported.

• Correlation

• Causation

Which example shows CAUSATION?

• Taller people have larger shoe sizes and shorter people have smaller shoe sizes.

• If you exercise, the calories burned per minute increases.

Which example shows a CORRELATION?

• It rained and the ground is wet.
• Ice cream sales increase as temperature increases.

Which example shows CAUSATION? (Which one CAUSED the other to happen.)

• Being happy and being a better student.

• An insect ate poison and it died.