Suppose there is a positive bivariate relationship between pathogen exposure and blood pressure. Which of these scenarios would most clearly reveal this as a spurious association?
A) Occupational prestige caused both pathogen exposure and blood pressure.
B) Pathogen exposure decreases immune functioning, which raises blood pressure.
C) The association between pathogen exposure and blood pressure is actually non-linear.
D) Pathogen exposure has a stronger relationship with blood pressure among men than it does among women.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A spurious association occurs when two variables are correlated but not causally related, often due to a third variable causing both. In this case, if occupational prestige causes both pathogen exposure and blood pressure, it would reveal the association as spurious.

Suppose There Is a Positive Bivariate Relationship Between Pathogen Exposure