spurious correlation

a situation in which variables are associated through their common relationship with one or more other variables but do not have a causal relationship with one another. For example, assume that data show that the total amount of damage in a fire increases as the number of firefighters at the scene increases. One cannot infer from this that calling fewer firefighters would decrease damage: There is a third variable—the initial size of the fire—that influences both the amount of damage and the number of firefighters present. See third-variable problem.

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Psychology term of the day

October 18th 2024

subject of consciousness

1. the observing ego, or “I.” See also nominative self; self as observer.

2. the subject matter, or contents, of conscious experience. Compare object of consciousness.