Question

Roger notices that when rates of homelessness increase, rates of crime also increase. Roger concludes that homelessness causes crime. While increased homelessness may lead to more crime, increased crime can also lead to more homelessness. This is an example of the _____ problem.

a) Causation
b) Correlation
c) Third-variable
d) Hasty generalization

Answer 1

The scenario described is an example of the correlation-causation fallacy. It is important not to jump to conclusions of causation based solely on correlation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario described is an example of the correlation-causation fallacy. Just because two variables, like homelessness and crime, are correlated does not necessarily mean that one variable causes the other. It is possible that a third variable is influencing both variables. For example, in the case of homelessness and crime, factors such as poverty and lack of affordable housing could contribute to both situations. Therefore, it is important not to jump to conclusions of causation based solely on correlation.