In a the association between two factors occurs because each is independently associated with some third factor.

In a spurious relationship, the association between two factors occurs because each is independently associated with some third factor.

The adjective spurious means seemingly associated with/similar to/corresponding to something without having the same qualities. It is often used in a broader sense as a way to say "wrongly or deceitfully attributed to" something.

A spurious relationship or correlation is made when 2 variables are associated due to a third, unprovable factor (sometimes referred to as the "lurking variable").

answer; conditional stimulus will trigger a conditioned response;

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