Question

In 2008, a study was conducted measuring the impact that music volume has on beer consumption. The researchers went into bars, controlled the music volume, and measured how much beer was consumed. The article states that "the sound level of the environmental music was manipulated according to a randomization scheme." It was found that louder music corresponds to more beer consumption. Does this provide evidence that louder music causes people to drink more beer? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Louder music corresponds to more beer consumption. This does not provide evidence that louder music causes people to drink more beer.

Explanation:
The fact is that louder music does not cause people to drink more beer. The spurious correlation between Loud music and Drink beer is due to the presence of Confounding Variable: Social interaction in the bar. If there is loud music in the bar, the people at the bar are unable to talk to each other much because of the noise. So, they are compelled to drink beer more during their stay at the bar instead of talking to each other.