A Classroom Demonstration of the Difference between Correlation and Causality
- 1 June 1988
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Perceptual and Motor Skills
- Vol. 66 (3) , 801-802
- https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1988.66.3.801
Abstract
An important principle to demonstrate in the first course in psychology is that correlation and causality are not the same. This note describes an apparatus useful in demonstrating the point: correlation does not necessarily imply causality. A black box contains a crank on one end and a flag on the other, without a connection between them. When the instructor overtly turns the crank and, in synchrony, covertly operates another mechanism to wave the flag, the students develop a strong delusion from the mere correlation of the two observed events that turning the crank causes the flag to wave. This demonstration becomes the basis for a discussion of this pitfall in interpreting both research data and life experiences.This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- Implications for psychology of the new philosophy of science.American Psychologist, 1983