Question

Part II: Causes

A.

Consider whether each of the following relationships is a causal relationship or merely a correlation.

Discuss how you would go about verifying which type it is. (10 points)

1. There has been an increase in the number of twins being born and a later age of marriage in the past

decade.

2. During the past decade there has been a decrease in the size of the Greenland ice cap and an increase in

the number of twins being born.

3. People who are members of a religious organization tend to be happier.

4. Jason drank nine bottles of beer at the party and is having trouble walking straight.

5. Almost all the animals that could flee to higher ground did so shortly before the tsunami struck Indonesia in

2004.

Answer 1

1. The first instance exemplifies a correlational relationship between number of twins being born and later age of marriage. This means that as number of late marriages increase, the number of twins being born also increases. It is an example of positive correlation.

2. Second instance is also an example of correlation. The decrease in size of the Greenland ice is negatively correlated with an increase in number of birth of twins.

3. Third instance is an example of cause-and-effect relationship. It is indicating that people who are involved in a religious organization are happier. This clearly shows that one variable is affecting the other.

4. Fourth example is of cause and effect relationship. It states that Jason had nine bottles of beer and is unable to walk straight. This reflects that Jason’s inability to walk properly is because of the excessive amount of alcohol consumption.

5. Fifth instance is also an example of cause and effect relationship. The animals were able to evacuate themselves right before tsunami had struck Indonesia. It shows that animals were able to sense that something was about to happen and therefore rescued themselves on time.

1. The first instance exemplifies a correlational relationship between number of twins being born and later age of marriage. This means that as number of late marriages increase, the number of twins being born also increases. It is an example of positive correlation.

2. Second instance is also an example of correlation. The decrease in size of the Greenland ice is negatively correlated with an increase in number of birth of twins.

3. Third instance is an example of cause-and-effect relationship. It is indicating that people who are involved in a religious organization are happier. This clearly shows that one variable is affecting the other.

4. Fourth example is of cause and effect relationship. It states that Jason had nine bottles of beer and is unable to walk straight. This reflects that Jason’s inability to walk properly is because of the excessive amount of alcohol consumption.

5. Fifth instance is also an example of cause and effect relationship. The animals were able to evacuate themselves right before tsunami had struck Indonesia. It shows that animals were able to sense that something was about to happen and therefore rescued themselves on time.