Question

​An article in a 2006 issue of Journal of Behavioral Decision Making reports on a study involving 47 undergraduate students in a class at Harvard. All of the participants were given $50, but some (chosen at random) were told that this was a "tuition rebate," while the others were told that this was "bonus income." After one week, the students were contacted again and asked how much of the $50 they had spent and how much they had saved. Those in the "rebate" group had spent an average of $22.04, while those in the "bonus" group had spent an average of $9.55.
If the difference in average spending amounts between the two groups is determined to be statistically significant, would it be legitimate to draw a cause-and-effect conclusion between what the money was called and how much was spent?

Choices: Yes or No.

Answer 1

Yes, it is legitimate to draw a cause-and-effect conclusion between what the money was called and how much was spent.