What Is the Third-Variable Problem, and How Does It Relate

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The Answer is The answer should indicate that the third-variable problem is the fact that two variables may be correlated only because they are both caused by a third variable. The third-variable problem is encountered often in observations of natural correlations. Because of the third-variable problem, just because two variables are correlated does not necessarily mean that one is causing the other to occur. The third-variable problem always exists in correlation studies; no matter how much we control for relevant third variables, another always exists. An example of the third variable problem involves the correlation between watching violent television programming and childhood aggression. From this correlation alone, we cannot say that watching violent television programming causes aggression. It may be that a third variable-lack of parental supervision-causes both television viewing and aggression.

What Is the Third-Variable Problem, and How Does It Relate

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