Research has shown a positive correlation between the amount of time children spend watching television and their level of aggression. It is possible that the actual cause of this relationship is harsh parents who act aggressively toward children (teaching them to be aggressive) and whose violence leads children to avoid them at all costs (including by watching television). This example illustrates the issue of

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The example given highlights the possible presence of a third variable that is causing both the increased TV watching and the aggression, rather than the TV watching causing the aggression directly. This is an example of the concept of the third variable.

Research Has Shown a Positive Correlation Between the Amount of Time