Sexual lyrics prompt teens to have sex discussion
Humanities
On pages 111-113 are some claims reported in the news. Each claim gives one interpretation in which correlations are confused with correlations. Identify the DV and IV. State which is claimed to cause which. (For example, heat (IV) causes ice to melt (dv). Propose an alternative explanation in which the causal arrow is reversed, or an unstated variable causes both (see text.) WARNING: DON’T MAKE THIS MISTAKE.
CLAIM: “Dogs who eat more weigh less.”
FIRST INTERPRETATION: “Dogs who eat more have more energy. Because they have more energy, they are more active and lose more weight. In other words:
DOGS EAT —-à LOSES WEIGHT
HERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE INTERPRETATION THAT GETS NO CREDIT: “Dogs who eat more spend more time with other dogs who are also eating. With all those dogs crowded by the feeding bowl, they are more likely to get into fights, burn energy, and lose weight.”
NOTICE HOW THIS ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATION ACCEPTS THE SAME CAUSAL LINK:
DOGS EAT —-à LOSES WEIGHT
BECAUSE THE DIRECTION OF THE CAUSAL LINK IS NOT CHALLENGED, IT GETS NO CREDIT IN THIS EXAMPLE.
HOW EXAMPLE THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLE REVERSES THE CAUSAL LINK, CLAIMING THAT:
LOSING WEIGHT -à EATING
“Dogs who lose weight are more hungry, and as a result eat more.”
Select one claim, using the system below.
If your last name begins with A or B, select these claims:
“Get up and move, it may make you happier.”
“Societies worse off ‘when they have God on their side.’”
C or D select these claims:
“Nightlight may lead to nearsightness.”
“Societies worse off ‘when they have God on their side.’”
E or F select:
“Housework cuts breast cancer risk.”
“Societies worse off ‘when they have God on their side.’”
G or H:
“Sex cuts public speaking stress.”
“Societies worse off ‘when they have God on their side.’”
I or J
“Eating breakfast makes girls slimmer.”
“Societies worse off ‘when they have God on their side.’”
K or L
“Panic attacks may raise women’s heart, stroke risk.”
“Societies worse off ‘when they have God on their side.’”
M or N
“Pill changes women’s taste in men.”
“Societies worse off ‘when they have God on their side.’”
O or P
“Video games improve surgery skills for surgeons.”
“Societies worse off ‘when they have God on their side.’
Q or R
“Make your bed, save your brain.”
“Societies worse off ‘when they have God on their side.’”
S or T
“Sexual lyrics prompt teens to have sex.”
“Societies worse off ‘when they have God on their side.’”
U or V
“Your name influences your future.”
“Societies worse off ‘when they have God on their side.’”
W, X, Y, or Z
“Eating breakfast makes girls slimmer.”
“Societies worse off ‘when they have God on their side.’”
REMEMBER: For each example, A causes B. You have to argue how B might cause A, or how some unstated variable C might cause both A and B.
BAD EXAMPLE
Dogs who eat more weigh less. That’s because if you weigh less you eat more.
(NOTHING IS EXPLAINED IN THE ABOVE EXAMPLE)
BETTER EXAMPLE
Dogs who eat more weigh less. That might because when a dog is underweight, it needs more food. Because it needs more food, it is more hungry. Because it is hungry, it eats more, explaining the correlation.
EXTRA CREDIT: If you have an interpretation other than one posted by a classmate, post it and get up to 5 extra points!
