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Causation vs. Correlation: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Causation implies that one event is the result of the occurrence of the other event; Correlation indicates that two events occur together without establishing a cause-effect relationship.
Causation vs. Correlation

Key Differences

Causation directly implies that a change in one variable is responsible for a change in another, indicating a cause-and-effect relationship. Correlation, however, simply means that two variables tend to change at the same time, without proving that one causes the other.
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In causation, one event can be identified as the cause of the other, such as smoking causing lung cancer. In correlation, two events may occur together like ice cream sales and drowning incidents, but one does not cause the other.
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Establishing causation requires a rigorous demonstration of a direct connection, often through controlled experiments. Correlation can be identified through statistical analysis, showing how closely two variables move together.
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Causation is about understanding the mechanism behind the relationship of variables. Correlation observes and measures the strength and direction of a relationship but doesn’t explain the underlying cause.
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Causation leads to actionable insights since it establishes a direct link, whereas correlation is useful for making predictions but does not imply direct action since the relationship might be coincidental or due to an unknown factor.
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Comparison Chart

Relationship

Cause and effect
Association without proven causality
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Evidence

Requires proof of direct connection
Statistical relationship without proof of causality
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Methodology

Demonstrated through experiments
Identified through statistical analysis
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Insight

Explains why and how
Indicates a relationship but not why
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Actionability

Leads to direct interventions
Used for predictions, not direct actions
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Causation and Correlation Definitions

Causation

Causation means one event causes another.
The causation between smoking and lung cancer is well-documented.
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Correlation

Correlation can be positive or negative, showing how variables move in relation to each other.
There is a negative correlation between smoking and lifespan.
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Causation

In legal terms, causation is a factor in determining whether one party's actions caused harm to another.
The court examined the causation linking the defendant’s actions to the accident.
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Correlation

In finance, correlation is used to describe how different investments move in relation to one another.
The correlation between stock and bond prices is often inversely related.
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Causation

Causation is the action of causing something to happen.
Pollution is a key causation of climate change.
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Correlation

Correlation indicates a relationship between two variables without implying cause.
A correlation was found between internet usage and social skills.
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Causation

Causation is a relationship where a change in one variable causes a change in another.
There is a causation between a balanced diet and good health.
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Correlation

Correlation is a statistical measure that describes the extent to which two variables change together.
There is a strong correlation between education level and income.
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Causation

Causation involves establishing a cause-effect relationship between two events.
The study showed a causation between exercise and improved mental health.
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Correlation

A relationship or connection between two things based on co-occurrence or pattern of change
A correlation between drug abuse and crime.
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Causation

The act or process of causing.
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Correlation

(Statistics) The tendency for two values or variables to change together, in either the same or opposite way
As cigarette smoking increases, so does the incidence of lung cancer, indicating a positive correlation.
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Causation

A cause.
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Correlation

An act of correlating or the condition of being correlated.
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Causation

Causality.
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Correlation

A reciprocal, parallel or complementary relationship between two or more comparable objects.
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Causation

The act of causing.
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Correlation

(statistics) One of the several measures of the linear statistical relationship between two random variables, indicating both the strength and direction of the relationship.
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Causation

The act or agency by which an effect is produced.
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Correlation

(algebra) An isomorphism from a projective space to the dual of a projective space, often to the dual of itself.
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Causation

Cause and effect, considered as a system.
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Correlation

Reciprocal relation; corresponding similarity or parallelism of relation or law; capacity of being converted into, or of giving place to, one another, under certain conditions; as, the correlation of forces, or of zymotic diseases.
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Causation

The act of causing; also the act or agency by which an effect is produced.
The kind of causation by which vision is produced.
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Correlation

A reciprocal relation between two or more things
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Causation

The act of causing something to happen
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Correlation

A statistic representing how closely two variables co-vary; it can vary from -1 (perfect negative correlation) through 0 (no correlation) to +1 (perfect positive correlation);
What is the correlation between those two variables?
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Correlation

A statistical relation between two or more variables such that systematic changes in the value of one variable are accompanied by systematic changes in the other
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Correlation

Correlation is often used in research to find potential associations between variables.
Researchers found a correlation between hours of sleep and stress levels.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries

What is causation?

Causation implies that one event is the result of another.
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What is correlation?

Correlation indicates a relationship or connection between two variables, but not necessarily causation.
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Can two variables be causally related and correlated?

Yes, if one truly causes the other.
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Can correlation imply causation?

Correlation does not inherently imply causation.
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Why is distinguishing between them important?

To avoid incorrect conclusions about cause-and-effect relationships.
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How is causation determined?

Through scientific testing, controlling variables to establish a cause-effect relationship.
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How is correlation measured?

Through statistical methods like Pearson's correlation coefficient.
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Why is correlation often mistaken for causation?

Human tendency to interpret patterns as cause-and-effect relationships.
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What is a positive correlation?

When two variables increase or decrease together.
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What is a confounding variable?

A factor that influences both variables of interest, possibly misleading the interpretation of their relationship.
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What is an example of correlation without causation?

Ice cream sales and drowning incidents correlate due to seasonality, but one does not cause the other.
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Is correlation easier to identify than causation?

Yes, as it only requires observing a relationship, not proving cause.
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Is temporal sequence important in causation?

Yes, cause must precede effect.
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What role do experiments play in establishing causation?

Experiments can control variables to test causation directly.
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What is a negative correlation?

When one variable increases as the other decreases.
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Can causation exist without correlation?

Yes, especially if the effect is indirect or involves a complex chain of events.
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Can technology help in distinguishing them?

Yes, advanced statistical tools and methods can aid in analysis.
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What are the dangers of confusing the two?

It can lead to misguided policies, incorrect medical advice, and false beliefs.
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How do observational studies differ?

They observe real-world data without intervention, often identifying correlations.
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What is an example of a causal relationship?

Smoking causing lung cancer, established through extensive research.
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About Author
Shumaila Saeed
Written by
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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