Association vs. Causation

Association refers to a relationship between two things happening together more often than by chance, but it doesn’t mean one causes the other. Causation means that one event directly results in another. For example, noticing that people who exercise often are healthier shows an association, but it doesn't prove exercise causes better health—other factors might be involved. Establishing causation requires strong evidence that changes in one thing directly lead to changes in another. Understanding the difference helps avoid jumping to conclusions based solely on correlations, ensuring accurate interpretations of data and avoiding misconceptions.