← Back to Test

Problem 1 - Entrance Test

Recent studies have shown a strong correlation between the amount of time spent on social media platforms and self-reported levels of anxiety and depression among young adults. Some psychologists have concluded that excessive social media usage directly causes these negative mental health outcomes. However, critics point out that these studies largely rely on self-selection; individuals who are already experiencing higher levels of anxiety or depression may be more prone to seek comfort or distraction on social media platforms, or they may be more likely to report negative feelings due to their pre-existing conditions. Therefore, the causal link is not as clear as the psychologists suggest.

Correct: C

The core of the critics' argument is that the observed correlation might be explained by a different causal direction (pre-existing anxiety/depression leading to more social media use) or a common underlying cause, rather than social media directly causing mental health issues. This directly aligns with the idea of confusing correlation with causation. While other choices might point to potential flaws in studies generally (like not accounting for other factors or relying on self-reported data), choice C directly addresses the specific criticism raised about the interpretation of the correlation by the psychologists.