Statisticscalendar_todayLast updated: Apr 2026
What is Correlation vs Causation?
/ˌkɒrəˈleɪʃən vɜːsəs kɔːˈzeɪʃən/
Correlation means two things tend to change together. Causation means one thing directly causes the other. Confusing the two is one of the most common — and costly — errors in reasoning.
lightbulb
Everyday Example
Ice cream sales and drowning deaths are positively correlated. This does not mean ice cream causes drownings — both are caused by hot weather. The correlation is real; the causation is not.
publicReal-World Application
“In medicine, observational studies find correlations constantly. Only randomised controlled trials can establish causation — which is why "Coffee linked to lower cancer risk" headlines rarely mean what they imply.”
psychology
Did you know?
The phrase "correlation does not imply causation" was introduced into statistics textbooks in the early 20th century, though the concept was understood by philosophers for centuries.
emoji_objects
Key Insight
The failure to distinguish correlation from causation has led to ineffective and sometimes harmful policies in medicine, education, economics, and public health. It is the most important statistical concept for critical thinking.
Want to learn Correlation vs Causation in 60 seconds?
Join 50,000+ learners snacking on knowledge daily.