For each of the correlational relationships below, find at least one confound (also called third-variables) that could help us to explain this relationship (rather than assuming that a causal relationship between variables exists). Remember, confounds in correlational studies explain the relationship between variables because they cause both variables, rather than one or the other. Therefore, be sure to explain how a confound influences both variables in your responses. 1. A study shows a significant correlation between chocolate consumption and the number of Nobel laureates per capita. Countries that consume more chocolate have more Nobel laureates. Does this mean that chocolate causes intelligence? 2. The fire chief has noticed that the number of firefighters at a fire is correlated with the amount of damage caused by the fire. The chief decides to send fewer firefighters in the future to help minimize the amount of fire damage. Should we give the chief a commendation for their new strategy to reduce damage? 3. Researchers have consistently found that time spent watching violent television is related to the number of aggressive behaviors at school. Should networks cancel violent programming as a way to reduce aggression in schools?
For each of the correlational relationships below, find at least one confound (also called third-variables) that could help us to explain this relationship (rather than assuming that a causal relationship between variables exists). Remember, confounds in correlational studies explain the relationship between variables because they cause both variables, rather than one or the other. Therefore, be sure to explain how a confound influences both variables in your responses.
1. A study shows a significant correlation between chocolate consumption and the number of Nobel laureates per capita. Countries that consume more chocolate have more Nobel laureates. Does this mean that chocolate causes intelligence?
2. The fire chief has noticed that the number of firefighters at a fire is correlated with the amount of damage caused by the fire. The chief decides to send fewer firefighters in the future to help minimize the amount of fire damage. Should we give the chief a commendation for their new strategy to reduce damage?
3. Researchers have consistently found that time spent watching violent television is related to the number of aggressive behaviors at school. Should networks cancel violent programming as a way to reduce aggression in schools?
A confluence of effects from exposures, results, and a third extraneous variable is classified as a confounder. A confounding variable is linked to both the potential cause (exposure) and the ailment (outcome). The confounding variable, as a result of double connection, establishes a misleading relationship between the risk variable and illness or could inflate or conceal a real association.
As a result, a variable excluding the independent variable could create an impact in an investigation (An investigation must demonstrate that A causes B, but the confounding variable is something that affects B but not A).
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