POL SCI 3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Paul Lazarsfeld, Empirical Relationship
4 Sep 2016
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When 2 variables change in such a way that change in one is associated with in the other connected/ associated/ co-vary. Association/ correlation describe a relationship where change in one variable is accompanied by changes in the other variable. Lipset proposes people"s status and political participation are associated. People with higher status are more apt to participate (also explains the logic and gives the reason for why he thinks the 2 variables are correlated) Finding a relationship does not mean one variable causes the other. Association can be positive or negative, change in same or opposite direction. It"s difficult to predict whether a relationship will be negative or positive (ex. Would a more economically developed country more or less apt to experience internal violence?) Correlation does not necessarily point to a causal relationship. Perfect correlation is not a criterion of causality (exceptions do not prove nor deny the role, there are always some exceptions)
