AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -In a study done in 2009, it had been speculated that homicide rates were higher when ice cream sales were on the rise. In 2006, a similar study found that the rate of death by drowning was also higher when ice cream sales were hitting their peak.

Detailed explanation-2: -Apparently not. Correlation is not causation. That said, it stands to reason that ice cream sells better in warm weather, and there is in fact plenty of evidence to suggest that crime rates rise when temperatures rise.

Detailed explanation-3: -How could a positive correlation between ice cream sales and violent crime be explained in order to show there is no causation? Ice cream sales and violent crime are linked by another variable. Measurements of adult literacy rates would be considered what type of evidence?

Detailed explanation-4: -The example of ice cream and crime rates is a positive correlation because both variables increase when temperatures are warmer. Other examples of positive correlations are the relationship between an individual’s height and weight or the relationship between a person’s age and number of wrinkles.