Correlation ≠ Causation

The dramatic rise in misinformation is even more troubling in relation to the significant decline in scientific competency. An overwhelming majority of U.S. students are below the basic level in science, indicating that they are not acquiring the skills required to critically analyze evidence or distinguish between empirical evidence and false statements.

Sadly, a majority of people do not understand the most basic scientific principle: correlation DOES NOT equal causation. Just because two events co-occur does not mean that one event caused the other. For example, shark attacks and ice cream sales both increase during the summer months. However, do shark attacks cause ice cream sales? Do ice cream sales cause shark attacks? Of course not! It is important to apply this same type of critical thinking to other correlations that unqualified individuals present as causal evidence.

Without proficiency in scientific thinking, we face a bleak future where any idiot with a platform can present unfounded statements that the public accepts as fact. This troubling trend will continue unless we demand that our education system improve through science-driven instruction.

Teachers are trained to believe misinformation about learning and instruction rather than the hard science that exists on learning as a scientific process. The only way to stop the vicious cycle of misinformation is by arming the public against it with effective education in our schools.