Cause for Concern

Two trends rise and fall in step. Your job: decide whether one truly drives the other, or something hidden links them.

How to play

Each case shows two correlated variables plotted over time with a short scenario. Read the chart and the context, then classify the relationship: A causes B, B causes A, a hidden third variable drives both, or it's just coincidence. Correct calls bank points and the truth is explained afterward.

• Choose from True Cause, Reverse, Confounder or Coincidence.
• Many cases hide a lurking variable that explains the link.
• Round length depends on difficulty; a final score sums your reads.

Controls

• Desktop: click the relationship card you believe is correct.
• Phone & tablet: tap your choice — fully touch-friendly.

Game modes

• Daily and Practice modes, each in Casual, Standard or Marathon length.

Tips & strategy

• Ask which variable could plausibly come first in time.
• When a third factor (weather, wealth, season) could move both lines, suspect a confounder.

What you'll learn

Cause for Concern is built around the maxim that correlation is not causation, training you to spot confounders.

• Skills: correlation vs causation, confounders, statistical reasoning
• Best for: roughly grades 8–12 (ages 13+)
• For parents & teachers: why correlation isn't causation.

About Cause for Concern

Cause for Concern is a deduction game built around the maxim that correlation is not causation. It's an original free browser game made for PlayPendium.

A free, original browser game on PlayPendium — no download, no install. Browse all games →