The number of violent TV shows that a child watches is positively correlated with the aggressiveness of the child's play.Why might this be
A) Viewing violent TV causes aggressive behavior
B) Aggressive behavior causes viewing violent TV
C) There is a third common-causal variable that creates the correlation
D) A, B, or C may be correct but the correlation cannot tell us which one is correct.

Question

The number of violent TV shows that a child watches is positively correlated with the aggressiveness of the child's play.Why might this be
A) Viewing violent TV causes aggressive behavior
B) Aggressive behavior causes viewing violent TV
C) There is a third common-causal variable that creates the correlation 
D) A, B, or C may be correct but the correlation cannot tell us which one is correct.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correlation between violent TV shows and aggressiveness of play may suggest that violent TV shows cause aggressive behavior, that aggressive behavior leads to a preference for violent TV shows, or there may be a third common causal factor for both behaviors. Since the correlation cannot tell us which of the three possibilities is correct, D is the best answer.

The Number of Violent TV Shows That a Child Watches