Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?Choices:(A) When people brush their teeth more often, they have fewer cavities.(B) When people brush their teeth more often, they have better breath.(C) When people brush their teeth more often, they floss more often.
Q. Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?Choices:(A) When people brush their teeth more often, they have fewer cavities.(B) When people brush their teeth more often, they have better breath.(C) When people brush their teeth more often, they floss more often.
Analyze Relationship: Analyze the relationship of option (A): Does brushing teeth more often cause fewer cavities? It is plausible that brushing teeth more often could lead to fewer cavities due to the removal of plaque and bacteria that cause tooth decay. This suggests a potential causal relationship.
Analyze Relationship: Analyze the relationship of option (B): Does brushing teeth more often cause better breath? While better breath may be associated with more frequent brushing, the causation is not as strong as in option (A) because bad breath can be influenced by various factors such as diet, health conditions, and more.
Analyze Relationship: Analyze the relationship of option (C): Does brushing teeth more often cause people to floss more often? This relationship is likely to be correlated because the habits of oral hygiene are related. However, brushing teeth more often does not necessarily cause an increase in flossing; rather, people who are diligent about their oral hygiene may tend to do both more frequently.
Select Option: Select the option that most likely reflects correlation but not causation. The answer is (C) 'When people brush their teeth more often, they floss more often.' This is because the relationship is likely due to a third factor (concern for oral hygiene) that causes both behaviors, rather than brushing directly causing an increase in flossing.