Researchers using correlational methods have found consistently significant positive correlations between depression and negative thinking. What conclusions can you draw
From these studies?
A) Depression causes negative thinking.
B) Negative thinking causes depression.
C) Both negative thinking and depression are caused by some unknown outside variable.
D) Depression and negative thinking are likely to occur together.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The consistently significant positive correlations between depression and negative thinking suggest that depression and negative thinking are likely to occur together. However, correlational studies cannot establish causality between the two variables, so we cannot conclude that one causes the other. Additionally, the existence of an unknown outside variable cannot be ruled out, meaning that both depression and negative thinking may be caused by some factor that has not yet been identified.

Researchers Using Correlational Methods Have Found Consistently Significant Positive Correlations