Question

The correlation coefficient for blood pressure and amount of vegetables eaten in a group of people is -0.7. Analyze the following statement. High blood pressure is caused by not eating vegetables. Is this a reasonable conclusion?

Answer 1

a. No; blood pressure and eating vegetables are completely unrelated
b. No; even though there is a strong negative correlation, not eating vegetables doesn't necessarily cause high blood pressure
c. Yes; eating vegetables reduces blood pressure, so the opposite is also true
d. Yes; the correlation coefficient is below -0.5, so that implies causation

Answer 2

My guess would be b. 0.7 is kind of an iffy place for correlation coefficients and correlation != causation.

Answer 3

Thanks!!