Question

Why do correlations enable prediction, but not cause-effect explanation? (Ap Psychology)

Answer 1

Answer:

Remember that correlation does not imply causation. Just because two things have a correlate with one another, it does not mean that we can jump to an conclusion.

If we look at the graph below, we can see that the rate of diagnosed autism and sales of organic food have an almost perfect correlation. However, we know for a fact that organic food does not cause autism- it just so happens that they correlate with one another.

That is why correlations cannot show cause and effect. To prove that a correlation does so, further studies and experiments must be done.