A negative correlation between genital sensitivity and number of past sexual partners may suggest that individuals who have had many sexual partners have lower genital sensation than do individuals who have had few sexual partners. Yet this correlation can easily be explained by a third variable: age. Which concept is being illustrated here?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The concept illustrated is that just because two variables are correlated (in this case, genital sensitivity and number of sexual partners), it does not necessarily mean that one causes the other. The mention of age as a third variable that could explain the correlation highlights the principle that correlation does not imply causation.

A Negative Correlation Between Genital Sensitivity and Number of Past