Question

Divorces and Margarine One study showed that there is a very high correlation between the divorce rate in Maine and per capita consumption of margarine in the United States. Can we conclude that either one of those two variables is the cause of the other?

Short answer

No, either of the variables cannot cause the other.

Step-by-step solution

Given information

The following two variables are known to have a strong correlation:

• The rate of divorce in Maine
• Margarine consumption (per capita) in the US

Meaning of correlation

The correlation between two variables implies that there is a certain degree of linearity association between the two variables.

In this case, it is said that correlation is very high. Thus, it is concluded that the divorce rate and per capita consumption change directly and almost proportionally.

As one variable increases or decreases, the other variable changes in the same manner

Correlation and causation

If two variables are correlated, they might not cause a change in one another. There are chances that some other lurking variable causes the change in the two variables.

As a result, even though it is known that a strong direct relation relates the divorce rate and per capita consumption, either of them cannot be concluded to be the cause of change for the other variable.