One of the six principles of scientific
thinking is that correlation is not the same as causation. This means that while the likeliness of one
thing happening at the same time as the other varies, it does not mean that one
causes the other. The cause-effect
relationship could go in either direction, or there could be a third variable
that causes both. It is also possible
that the two variables are not actually related in the slightest.
An example of this can be seen in a research
study done at the University of Pittsburgh.
The study was to see how reading or listening to music is related to the
likeliness of depression in teens. About
half the test subjects in this study had been previously diagnosed with Major
Depressive Disorder. As part of the
study the researchers would call the subjects weekly to see what types of
leisurely media there were using: reading, listening to their iPods, watching
TV, etc. They would also ask the subjects questions about their moods. The researchers would then record this
information and make analyses based on the usual symptoms of depression.
The results of the experiment showed that
people who listened to music more often had more symptoms of depression, or,
for those already diagnosed, their depression worsened. This is a positive correlation. On the other hand, people who did other
activities, such as read more books, seemed to show fewer symptoms of
depression, or their depression improved.
This shows a negative correlation.
However, researchers also mentioned that they
cannot be sure whether listening to music causes depression, or depression
causes teens to listen to music, or if there is a confounding factor which
links to both. Similarly, we cannot tell
if reading books can treat or prevent depression in teens.
Similar studies have also shown links between
depression and playing video games or watching TV. Again, the researchers mentioned that this is
only a correlation that is being tested.
There is not enough information to infer a cause from this correlation
study.
For more information, here is the link to the
article: http://healthland.time.com/2011/04/12/study-are-music-loving-teens-more-likely-to-be-depressed/
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