Dr. Hall found a positive correlation between depression and child abuse; depressed mothers were more likely to abuse their children. Which of the following explanations illustrates the third-variable problem?
A)Abusing one's children may cause depression.
B)Poverty may cause both depression and child abuse.
C)The relationship between depression and child abuse may apply only to women.
D)Abused children may have a predisposition to become depressed.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The third-variable problem occurs when a variable that was not measured in a study may be the actual cause of the observed relationship between two other variables. In this case, if poverty causes both depression and child abuse, then it could be the actual cause of the observed correlation between depression and child abuse.

Dr Hall Found a Positive Correlation Between Depression and Child