👉 Correlation fumes refer to the misleading perception that a direct causal relationship exists between two variables simply because they tend to move together. This can occur when there are underlying factors or third variables influencing both, leading to a spurious correlation. For example, ice cream sales and drowning incidents might correlate, but this doesn't mean eating ice cream causes drowning; instead, both are influenced by warmer weather. Recognizing correlation fumes is crucial for avoiding incorrect conclusions and ensuring that relationships are genuinely causal or explained by other factors.
