QQuestionStatistics
QuestionStatistics
Which of the following is an example of a spurious correlation?
A. Eating a balanced diet keeps you healthy.
B. Studying more usually leads to better grades.
C. People with long arms also have long legs.
D. Rising poverty rates correlate to rising crime rates.
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Answer
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Step 1:I'll solve this problem by explaining the concept of spurious correlation and analyzing each option carefully.
Step 2:: Understanding Spurious Correlation
A spurious correlation is a statistical relationship between two variables that appears meaningful but is actually coincidental or caused by a third hidden variable. These correlations seem to suggest a causal connection, but no genuine cause-and-effect relationship exists.
Step 3:: Analyzing Option A
\text{Eating a balanced diet keeps you healthy}
This is a genuine causal relationship. Proper nutrition directly contributes to health, so this is NOT a spurious correlation.
Step 4:: Analyzing Option B
\text{Studying more usually leads to better grades}
This represents a direct causal relationship. More study time typically results in improved academic performance, so this is NOT a spurious correlation.
Step 5:: Analyzing Option C
\text{People with long arms also have long legs}
This is a SPURIOUS correlation. Long arms and long legs are both caused by an underlying factor (genetic height) rather than directly causing each other. They are correlated but not causally linked.
Step 6:: Analyzing Option D
\text{Rising poverty rates correlate to rising crime rates}
While this correlation exists, it might be influenced by complex socioeconomic factors. However, this is not necessarily a spurious correlation, as there could be genuine underlying causal mechanisms.
Final Answer
People with long arms also have long legs is an example of a spurious correlation.
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