Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?Choices:(A) Having more dogs is associated with vacuuming more often. (B) Cleaning windows more often is associated with vacuuming more often. (C) Hosting more dinner parties is associated with vacuuming more often.
Q. Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?Choices:(A) Having more dogs is associated with vacuuming more often. (B) Cleaning windows more often is associated with vacuuming more often. (C) Hosting more dinner parties is associated with vacuuming more often.
Analyze Dogs vs Vacuuming: Analyze the relationship of option (A): Does having more dogs directly cause one to vacuum more often? While there is a correlation between having more dogs and vacuuming more often due to increased shedding of fur, it is not necessarily a direct causation because the decision to vacuum is made by the person and can be influenced by other factors such as personal cleanliness standards or the presence of other pets or children.
Analyze Cleaning Windows: Analyze the relationship of option (B): Does cleaning windows more often cause one to vacuum more often? These two activities are both cleaning tasks, but one does not cause the other. They may be correlated because a person who cleans more frequently may tend to do both tasks more often, but there is no direct causation between the two.
Analyze Hosting Dinner Parties: Analyze the relationship of option (C): Does hosting more dinner parties cause one to vacuum more often? Hosting dinner parties may lead to more frequent vacuuming to prepare for guests, but this is a correlation. The causation is not direct because the act of hosting does not inherently require vacuuming; it is the desire to have a clean space for guests that leads to the increased vacuuming.
Select Correlation vs Causation: Finally, select the option that most likely reflects correlation but not causation. The answer is (B) 'Cleaning windows more often is associated with vacuuming more often.' because both are cleaning activities that may occur more frequently in a household that maintains a high level of cleanliness, but one does not cause the other.