Correlation Isn’t Causation: The Dangerous Mistake That Shapes Our Beliefs

Humans crave explanations, but this desire often leads us to jump to conclusions. Just because two events occur together or in sequence does not mean one caused the other.

For example, a company might change leadership and then see profits rise. It’s tempting to credit the new leader, but many other factors could be responsible. Mistaking correlation for cause can lead to misguided decisions and wasted resources.

Temporal order is another trap: event A preceding event B does not prove A caused B. This misunderstanding underlies many superstitions and false beliefs.

Critical thinking requires skepticism and evidence. Look for controlled experiments, plausible mechanisms, and repeatability before concluding causality. This approach protects us from being misled by surface patterns.

Next, we tackle myths about untapped brain potential and what truly builds expertise.