Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A cause-effect relationship refers to the connection between two events or phenomena where one event (the cause) leads to another event (the effect). It demonstrates how changes in one variable can result in changes in another.
Related terms
Causal Analysis: Causal analysis involves examining the causes and effects of an event or phenomenon. It aims to determine why something happened and what resulted from it.
Correlation: Correlation refers to a relationship between two variables that tend to occur together, but it does not imply causation.
Chain Reaction: A chain reaction is a sequence of events where each event triggers the next, leading to a cumulative effect. It is often used as an analogy for understanding cause-effect relationships.