PsychologyAugust 16, 2026

correlational

kor-uh-LAY-shuh-nul

Definition

Relating to or demonstrating a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things, but not necessarily proving that one causes the other.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'correlatio' (a mutual relation), formed by combining the prefix 'co-' (together) with 'relatio' (a carrying back or report).

In the news

The article uses the term to clarify that the study identifies a link between news habits and work performance but cannot definitively claim that news consumption is the sole cause of these outcomes.

Doomscrolling political news during your downtime predicts reduced engagement at work

Read the full article ↗

PsyPost

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.