Question

A study once found that, for any given year, there was a positive correlation between ice cream consumption and the crime rate (during the summer months). If ice cream consumption was high for a given year, the crime rate was also high; if consumption was low, the crime rate was also low. What can explain this phenomenon

Answer 1

Counfounding variable phenomenon

Explanation:

The correlation or positive relationship observed between ice cream consumption and crime rate is one of the scenarios which buttresses the point they correlation does not imply causation. Because, from the study, ice cream consumption rises and falls in hot and cold seasons respectively and crime rate also behaves accordingly. However, there is no logical reason why crime should be committed due to consumption of ice cream. However, from further studies, it was deduced that a third variable is at work here, which isn't considered in the initial study, which is temperature. During hot weather, rate of dehydration increases and the need to take ice chilled drinks to cool off rises; similarly temper seems to flare with rising temperature due to heat which might probably cause an imbalance system and ultimately lead people into committing crimes. Hence, the common variable which simultaneously affects both ice cream consumption and crime rate is temperature which is a confounding variable.