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10.8 Cause and Effect

Learning objectives.

The Purpose of Cause and Effect in Writing

It is often considered human nature to ask, “why?” and “how?” We want to know how our child got sick so we can better prevent it from happening in the future, or why our colleague a pay raise because we want one as well. We want to know how much money we will save over the long term if we buy a hybrid car. These examples identify only a few of the relationships we think about in our lives, but each shows the importance of understanding cause and effect.

A cause is something that produces an event or condition; an effect is what results from an event or condition. The purpose of the cause-and-effect essay is to determine how various phenomena relate in terms of origins and results. Sometimes the connection between cause and effect is clear, but often determining the exact relationship between the two is very difficult. For example, the following effects of a cold may be easily identifiable: a sore throat, runny nose, and a cough. But determining the cause of the sickness can be far more difficult. A number of causes are possible, and to complicate matters, these possible causes could have combined to cause the sickness. That is, more than one cause may be responsible for any given effect. Therefore, cause-and-effect discussions are often complicated and frequently lead to debates and arguments.

Use the complex nature of cause and effect to your advantage. Often it is not necessary, or even possible, to find the exact cause of an event or to name the exact effect. So, when formulating a thesis, you can claim one of a number of causes or effects to be the primary, or main, cause or effect. As soon as you claim that one cause or one effect is more crucial than the others, you have developed a thesis.

Consider the causes and effects in the following thesis statements. List a cause and effect for each one on your own sheet of paper.

Write three cause-and-effect thesis statements of your own for each of the following five broad topics.

The Structure of a Cause-and-Effect Essay

The cause-and-effect essay opens with a general introduction to the topic, which then leads to a thesis that states the main cause, main effect, or various causes and effects of a condition or event.

The cause-and-effect essay can be organized in one of the following two primary ways:

For example, if your essay were on childhood obesity, you could start by talking about the effect of childhood obesity and then discuss the cause or you could start the same essay by talking about the cause of childhood obesity and then move to the effect.

Regardless of which structure you choose, be sure to explain each element of the essay fully and completely. Explaining complex relationships requires the full use of evidence, such as scientific studies, expert testimony, statistics, and anecdotes.

Because cause-and-effect essays determine how phenomena are linked, they make frequent use of certain words and phrases that denote such linkage. See Table 10.4 “Phrases of Causation” for examples of such terms.

Table 10.4 Phrases of Causation

The conclusion should wrap up the discussion and reinforce the thesis, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the relationship that was analyzed.

Be careful of resorting to empty speculation. In writing, speculation amounts to unsubstantiated guessing. Writers are particularly prone to such trappings in cause-and-effect arguments due to the complex nature of finding links between phenomena. Be sure to have clear evidence to support the claims that you make.

Look at some of the cause-and-effect relationships from Note 10.83 “Exercise 2” . Outline the links you listed. Outline one using a cause-then-effect structure. Outline the other using the effect-then-cause structure.

Writing a Cause-and-Effect Essay

Choose an event or condition that you think has an interesting cause-and-effect relationship. Introduce your topic in an engaging way. End your introduction with a thesis that states the main cause, the main effect, or both.

Organize your essay by starting with either the cause-then-effect structure or the effect-then-cause structure. Within each section, you should clearly explain and support the causes and effects using a full range of evidence. If you are writing about multiple causes or multiple effects, you may choose to sequence either in terms of order of importance. In other words, order the causes from least to most important (or vice versa), or order the effects from least important to most important (or vice versa).

Use the phrases of causation when trying to forge connections between various events or conditions. This will help organize your ideas and orient the reader. End your essay with a conclusion that summarizes your main points and reinforces your thesis. See Chapter 15 “Readings: Examples of Essays” to read a sample cause-and-effect essay.

Choose one of the ideas you outlined in Note 10.85 “Exercise 3” and write a full cause-and-effect essay. Be sure to include an engaging introduction, a clear thesis, strong evidence and examples, and a thoughtful conclusion.

Key Takeaways

The cause-and-effect essay can be organized in one of these two primary ways:

Writing for Success by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

A Guide to Writing a Cause and Effect Essay

Lindsay Kramer

In your academic career, you’ll write a lot of essays. You’ll write some to inform your readers about a topic and others to analyze an idea. Some will argue for or against a specific position, while others will persuade the reader to take action. Authors use various strategies to achieve each of these goals, and one of the strategies they use to inform readers is the cause and effect essay .

As its name implies, a cause and effect essay explains how certain causes result in specific effects. Knowing how to write an effective cause and effect essay is an important skill for students in just about every academic field to develop. Give your writing extra polish Grammarly helps you communicate confidently Write with Grammarly

What is a cause and effect essay?

A cause and effect essay is a type of expository essay that explores its topic by discussing the issue’s causes and consequences. For example, a cause and effect essay about deforestation’s role in climate change might discuss a few of deforestation’s specific causes, like a demand for wood and the clearing of land for grazing pastures, and then explain how these causes create effects that contribute to climate change. 

As with other types of expository essays, the purpose of a cause and effect essay is to educate the reader. As an expository essay writer, think of yourself as the informed explainer who gives their readers the information they need to think critically about a topic and reach their own conclusions. Your goal isn’t to persuade, argue, or entertain your readers—although there are instances when authors of argumentative and persuasive essays use cause and effect rhetoric in their writing. It’s also possible to write a creative essay using the cause and effect format. However, within the realm of academic essay writing , a cause and effect essay is an expository piece of writing. 

Cause and effect essays are similar to other kinds of expository essays in that they present facts in a clear, logical format. They employ an objective, analytical tone and stay away from flowery and inciting language. This is how they differ from argumentative, persuasive, and descriptive essays. You might use the passive voice more frequently in cause and effect essays than in other kinds of essays, especially in cause and effect essays you write for your science courses. 

How to structure a cause and effect essay

Structurally, a cause and effect essay is similar to other types of essays. It starts with an introduction paragraph where you hook your reader, state your thesis, and give a quick preview of the points you’ll make to support your thesis. 

Following the introduction, each point supporting your thesis has its own section. Each section can be as short as one paragraph or contain a few paragraphs, depending on how much information you need to convey and whether your essay must adhere to a word count or page limit. There are a few different ways to organize your essay’s body paragraphs. You can discuss each cause, section by section, and then discuss each effect afterward (if there is only one effect, include just a single section about it). Alternatively, you can discuss each cause and effect pair individually, giving each pair its own section. 

The best structure for your essay depends on a few factors:

For example, if your essay is about a single effect with multiple causes, it might be most logical to discuss all the causes first and then write a section on their shared effect. Or if the causes and effects are more isolated from each other and you need room to explain how they fit into the bigger picture, the logical choice might be to give each cause and effect pair its own section and then tie them together in your essay’s conclusion.

As with other kinds of academic writing, the most logical structure is typically the best approach. If you aren’t sure how to structure your essay, ask your instructor for guidance. 

After writing the body paragraphs, write your essay’s conclusion . This final section summarizes the points you made in the body, underscores your thesis, and brings your essay’s position to a logical conclusion. 

How to write a cause and effect essay

To write a cause and effect essay, follow the same writing process that you follow when you’re doing other kinds of writing. Start with brainstorming your topic and jotting down any insights you have, questions you want to answer, associations you plan to make between topics, and facts you intend to reference. 

After brainstorming , take your notes and create an organized outline . Remember, your essay outline is a guideline for you to follow as you write, not a final script your essay has to follow. List each section as a header in your outline and below it write down the bullet points you plan to cover within that section. Outlining makes it easy to visualize how your final essay will look and to determine where each body paragraph logically fits into the structure. 

Once your outline is finished, it’s time to write! But before you dive into your first draft, nail down your thesis statement , if you haven’t already. This is a concise and informative statement that tells the reader exactly what your essay is about. It goes in your introduction paragraph, and each body paragraph that follows should support this statement. 

With your thesis statement prepared, write your body paragraphs using your notes from your brainstorming session. Remember what kind of essay you’re writing and frame its body paragraphs accordingly—if a supporting paragraph doesn’t clearly show how its subject is a cause leading to a specific effect, reframe it to fit this format. Remember, you’re only on the first draft, and there will be time to revise it later. 

Once you’re finished writing, give your essay time to cool off. Ideally, take about twenty-four hours before you edit it. When you go back and edit, pay close attention to how you’ve presented each cause and effect. Ask yourself the following questions:

With the answers to these questions in mind, revise your essay to ensure that the content is presented in the clearest, most logical way possible. At this stage, also make sure your essay’s tone is appropriate and that there are not any glaring spelling or grammatical errors. You’ll check for these again when you proofread; the editing stage is primarily for revising your essay’s content. 

With a clean, revised second draft in hand, give it another proofread for grammatical mistakes. Grammarly can help you with this. Once it’s cleaned up, you’re ready to submit your work. 

Example outline of a cause and effect essay

As we mentioned above, there are a few different ways to structure a cause and effect essay. Here is one: 

This format isn’t ideal for every essay, though. In some cases, a format like this makes the content clearer:

When you’re revising your essay, feel free to play around with the format and see which makes more sense for the information you’re writing about. You’ll likely use each of these formats in different essays depending on their specific content. 

Cause and effect essay FAQs

A cause and effect essay is an expository essay that explains the relationships between specific conditions and their consequences, often within the context of a big-picture issue. These conditions are known as “causes,” and their consequences are known as “effects.” 

What is the purpose of a cause and effect essay?

The purpose of a cause and effect essay is to educate the reader about how specific conditions are linked to certain repercussions. 

How do you structure a cause and effect essay?

There are a few different ways to structure a cause and effect essay. Here are two of the most common: 

essay about technology cause and effect

Cause and Effect of Change in Technology Essay

Introduction, the cause of change in technology, dependence on technology, the downside.

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With technology making great strides and making the machines pervade human life and dominate all walks of life, it is, undoubtedly, opening avenues for progress and advancement of humankind. From reaching the moon to discovering forms of life on other planets, technology in every form, whether it is electricity or transport or communication or computers or state-of-art equipment, has helped humankind throughout history. It is said that technology evolved with the evolution of man (“Evolution’s Arrow: The Direction of Evolution and the Future of Humanity”).

The cause of change in technology is, perhaps, rightly due to the evolution of humankind. As the man evolved, he was better able to channelize his thought process, his ability to work hard and his aptitude and skills to frame, develop and invent new and innovative forms of technology. Then, it is also true that one invention led to another as was required by time and circumstances. The early man needed warmth to protect himself against bitter cold and cook food. Therefore, he tried hard to come up with ways and means of serving his needs. It was when he learnt how to make fire by rubbing large stones or pieces of rock hard against each other. The requirement to cover his body for protection and warmth, led the man to sew clothes for himself made of hides and furs. The need for light and enhanced visibility in the dark motivated Thomas Edison to create an electric bulb. The old, clichéd saying that the necessity is the mother of invention holds true here. The business arena has also adopted the changing technology to assist in performing corporate activities better and communicate with colleagues and clients the world over.

With the passage of time, man became so dependent on technology that it became difficult for him to do without it. He started taking certain inventions of the past for granted. Today, as technology is changing and progressing swiftly, entire business empires are built around it. It is, indeed, tough to imagine life without any form of technology particularly communications and information technology. Man’s heavy reliance on technology has made him incapable on accomplishing major and intricate tasks without it.

We usually discuss the advantages which have been made possible in the corporate world because of the development and changes in technology. However, effects or the repercussions arising out of technology change are not always positive. A rosy picture is generally painted by the proponents of modern and contemporary technology in the business world. Nonetheless, the downside of it is often neglected.

As the technology changes rapidly, it is affecting the employees by threatening their jobs. A prominent limitation which technology places is that of employee obsolescence. It happens particularly in the fields of business, information technology, medicine and engineering as they require technical expertise. According to Werther and Davis (1996), “Obsolescence results when an employee no longer possesses the knowledge or abilities needed to perform successfully”. This “results from a person’s failure to adapt to new technology”. (p. 299). This can even result in laying off of employees. Human rights activists have been making a hue and cry to curb replacement of workers with machines.

Excessive computer uses especially by data entry clerks at organizations cause repetitive strain injuries. These injuries can be classified into any of the following categories: Bursitis, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Epicondylitis, Osgood-Schlatter disease, Patellar femoral syndrome, Shin splints, Stress fractures and Tendonitis. The use of genetically engineered food by the businesses involved in grocery and edible products threatens the health of the consumers.

Change in technology has definitely helped mankind greatly but is not without its cons.

Comstock, Gary. A Brief for the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification of New Zealand . 2007.

Stewart, John. Evolution’s Arrow: The Direction of Evolution and the Future of Humanity. Canberra: The Chapman Press. 2000. Web.

Werther, William B. & Davis, Keith. The Human Resources and Personnel Management, Fifth Edition. New York: McGraw Hill, 1996.

Teens Health: Repetitive Strain Injuries. 2007. Neumors Foundation. Web.

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essays for students

Academic writing tips for students.

essay about technology cause and effect

13 Great Cause And Effect Essay Topics On Technology

Cause and effect essay topics on technology offer great ideas people can read about. Choosing your topic will depend on personal interests and what you feel you can present of significance. In technology there are various aspects people may not understand. The following details offer insight on how to choose a topic along with potential ideas you can work into a cause and effect essay of your own.

Elements of a Good Cause and Effect Essay

Cause and effect essay papers present insight from multiple perspectives. They help people understand why something has occurred and its original origin. For the most part such writing assignments help students understand important details related to cause and effect. A topic you have an interest in with clear details and understanding will make your paper something people will want to read.

Defining Good Cause and Effect Essay Topics for Technology Interests

Technology has a number of elements people may not understand or want to learn more about. Cause and effect essay writing at this point can be very helpful in understand even basic aspects of technology. For those who have a unique set interests in learning concepts related to this subject matter, finding a suitable topic to discuss will be easier than you think. Review aspects you know so far and what you want to learn more about from an academic perspective.

13 General Cause and Effect Essay Topic Ideas to Work With

Students can get inspired when there are basic ideas to consider for their subject matter. Here are 13 ideas for your paper to review.

Writing Tips

2023 © Essays For Students. Academic Writing Guides.

Cause and Effect of a New Technology

Today’s society is what it is, because of technology. Technology in today’s society touches on every aspect of life. Every sector of the economy is dependent on technology. Technology affects international relations among nations. Every day the level of technology keeps on advancing and more new knowledge is brought to the eyes of mankind. Technology has both good and bad effects of which can be long term and/or short term.

Introduction

This research aims at briefly highlighting the effects and causes of technology. The paper will achieve this by giving real life illustrations which are well known and some of which are quite amazing. The paper takes no stand but draws the general picture of the effect and causes of technology on mankind. The paper will explore both the good and bad side of technology. This research exclusively uses literature review as the only way of data collection. To cover for inadequacy and bias which may result from this kind of data collection, the literature sources used are purely from credible sources consisting of peer reviewed journals.

Literature review

This section will review causes and effects of technology with illustrations from real life examples. The section will at times base its arguments on reasonableness of a situation and make intuitive conclusions. The section is divided into three sub-sections which talks about efficiency, knowledge and security. In reviewing the sub-sections, both the advantages and the disadvantages will be brought to light.

Efficiency Enhancement

Technology can be said to have advanced as a result of the need for efficiency. The need for efficiency pushes people to develop ways in which processes can be done in better ways. The inefficiency associated with processing large data manually brought about the development of computers. The need to process the same data faster and accurately has led to development of supercomputers (Zelkowitz, p. 162). The need to work efficiently in dangerous areas for long time brought about the development of robots. Robots controlled by human beings are more efficient, faster and can work for more hours than human beings (Burgard 192). Generally speaking, the need for efficiency is everywhere; the medical field, the military, space science, education, business etcetera.

In a summative way, efficiency brought about by technology makes it easier to carry out various processes making it easier for mankind to have a better lifestyle. For instance, advanced communication through the use of computers and internet has made it possible for outsourcing of jobs to be possible. This has meant millions of saving for the American corporations as outsourcing has been shown to be cheaper than internally hiring employees. Globalization, a talk of the day anywhere, has been catapulted by technology. Without technology, globalization will be far from a dream. Thus, it is reasonable to argue that all the benefits accrued from globalization are due to advances in technology. Globalization has opened up opportunities for various countries to trade more openly and create numerous job opportunities (Narual 103).

Technology in the medically has greatly increased efficiency. Advanced and complicated surgical operations can be carried out in pursuant of saving lives. Use of laser equipments in the medical field makes it possible for surgical wounds to heal faster and is less painful. Advancing technology in the medical field has made doctors to be efficient and save lives of millions of people (Geisler and Heller 32).

Enhancing Knowledge

Technology has made it possible for mankind to have an advanced knowledge of how the universe functions. It is possible to make whether prediction to reliable levels. Technology has made it possible for earthquakes to be detected well before they mount momentum to destructive level. It is possible to see the development of hurricanes, typhoons and tornados. This significant whether you are in a ship or on the land as it help you to prepare enough or even be evacuated (Ravi, Aditya and Gupta 41). Technology has made it possible for cloning to be done on sheep. There are various experiments which have been carried out on mice. All this has been made possible through technology. These experiments reveal a lot knowledge which makes it possible for mankind to find better ways of treatment. By gaining knowledge on how the human body functions, it is possible develop drugs and counter malfunctions of the body in a better way without compromising the chances of people’s lives (Geisler and Heller 35). Technology is also used to study and gain knowledge on the ecosystem around us. How will one know that the blue whales are endangered without engaging divers and sophisticated machines to find out? What about the python reserves in the world? They will swallow you up if you counting them manually, technology has to be engaged; may some flying cameras or something close to that. Having the knowledge of the ecosystem makes it possible for proper preservation measures to be undertaken. Technology makes it possible to understand to what level the ozone layer has been depleted so that corrective measures can be taken (Narual 103).

Security Issues

Depending from the perspective of view, technology has raised some security issues. Advanced technology has brought about the development advanced weapons. Weapons of mass destruction are only attributed to technology. The already developed nukes in various countries, it is possible to blow up the world and leave nothing standing. This raises pertinent question concerning countries such as Iran, which is said to have links with terrorism, gong nuclear (Dong-Joon Jo, 1).

What about the possible proliferation of nuclear materials from the nuclear power plants which are being developed around the world. What will be the effects of the nuclear materials leaking? It took place in Chernobyl remember. By the help technology, nuclear submarines are a reality. These super vessels with an ability of staying under water have been reported colliding. In some instances, when they are fully loaded with the nukes (Dong-Joon Jo, 3).

Computer hacking has become a common issue. Identity theft is equally common. These two have led to loss of millions of American dollars. Young kids and youths have become immune to computer pornography. Is it possible that technology is equally putting the world in an immoral situation and worse still in a very delicate position where it can easily destroy itself?

Technology and its effects have far implications that can possibly be covered in this paper. It has been shown succinctly that technology has led to efficiency in various fields and in various aspects. This has made it possible for mankind to have a better lifestyle, with each advancing in technology, making life better. However, pertinent questions are raised with each advancing technology: the medical have cloning technology has moral questions to answers; mass communication technologies especially the internet raise pornography issues among the youths, the nuclear power generations raise proliferation issues. It is true that technology has done possibly done much to help raise the standard of living but the risks it has brought along can not be ignored.

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essay about technology cause and effect

Cause And Effect Essay Guide

Caleb S.

Cause and Effect Essay - A Detailed Writing Guide

12 min read

Published on: Jul 1, 2018

Last updated on: Dec 16, 2022

cause and effect essay guide

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When you get enrolled in a middle school, high school, or college, the teachers usually assign different essays for you to write. The type of essay that includes multiple paragraphs to examine causes and effects is known as a cause and effect essay.

It is different from other kinds of essays as students have to explain a cause and its effects in detail. Moreover, understanding the basic structure, approach, and purpose is also necessary to write a perfect essay.

If you are also one of those students who find it difficult to write a good cause-and-effect essay. Then this is the right place for you. The following blog will help you master the art of writing amazing essays in no time.

What is a Cause and Effect Essay?

A cause and effect essay is based on defining a cause and its effects. These causes could either be negative or positive. Similarly, they are also known as result essays. However, there are certain things that all school students need to keep in mind for understanding cause and effect essay writing.

For example, whenever you face a stressful situation, it will make you sad. Similarly, joyous occasions will make you happy. This example might be simple. But, it will help you understand the connection that is between a situation and a person.

Thus, It is a twofold relationship as both the cause and the effect are dependent on each other. Moreover, causes may have widespread effects that could affect everyone, including humans.

As per the cause and effect essay definition,

“It is an essay that examines a reason (cause) and its consequences (effect). However, the reason could be an event, action, or decision made”.

To understand this type of essay better, consider the following example:

Cause:  Social injustice is rife in the African States.

Effect:  Social protests and freedom rallies are excessively occurring in Africa.

The following ways will help you arrange the cause and its effects in your essays.

It is not necessary to always work in a sequence when discussing causes and effects. Instead, you can start from the main effect as well.

Also, consider the below questions to evaluate the effectiveness of a cause and effect essay.

What is the Purpose of a Cause and Effect Essay?

In school, teachers give students cause-and-effect essays to teach them critical thinking and logic. These types of papers can be found in academic writing or any professional setting where people need persuasive skills with their research data.

The cause and effect essay is a common type of writing that explores how one thing affects another. In this format, an author will describe something in detail to find out its main causes and then identify those factors with help from other sources.

Cause and Effect Essay Format

A cause and effect essay outline usually follows the below pattern.

Introduction

This section consists of 3-5 body paragraphs depending on the topic and scope of the essay.

Body Paragraph I

Body Paragraph II

Antithesis Paragraph

Font Type:  Times New Roman, Arial.

Font Size:  12 pt for the essay’s text.

Line Spacing:  1.5 or Double Line Spacing.

Alignment:  Justified.

How to Start a Cause and Effect Essay?

To start a cause and effect essay, follow the easy steps below. It will help you save time and write a properly sequenced essay.

Refer to the example given below to understand how to start a cause and effect paper.

How to Start a Cause and Effect Essay - Examples

writing a cause and effect essay

The steps to writing a cause and effect essay are given below in detail.

1. Choose the Essay Topic

If the teacher has not assigned you a specific essay topic, it is your chance to choose it yourself. This step takes a lot of effort. Therefore, the best way is to make a list of topics.

Choose the one you already know something about or the one you are interested in. It will make it easy and fun to write and more interesting to read.

2. Brainstorm to Choose Cause and Effect

After selecting the topic, brainstorm to choose the angle you are going to write from. It can be either the cause or the effect angle.

Thus, for any topic, make two lists i.e, one for the cause and one for effect. Furthermore, write down all the possible causes and effects. Choose the list that seems more complete, familiar, and easy to you. That is the angle you will choose.

3. Conduct Thorough Research Work

Conduct in-depth research for your cause and effect essay. Make sure to choose credible sources and not personal blogs or unverifiable sources.

Moreover, this step will also discover common trends and questions about your topic. With this, you will also be able to find valid supporting arguments for writing a perfect thesis.

4. Craft a Strong Thesis

Write a strong  thesis statement  that should answer the essay’s question. It shows why you care about the topic, along with its significance. Similarly, it will also let readers know what they can expect to learn from reading your essay.

5. Develop a Cause and Effect Essay Outline

A cause and effect essay typically follows a standard outline. It is used to organize and discuss ideas in one place. The sections of the  cause and effect essay outline  are discussed below in detail.

5.1 Cause and Effect Essay Introduction

The introduction of the cause and effect essay gives detailed background information, a strong thesis, and its purpose. It also provides the relevancy of the topic to the modern period.

Similarly, this section must begin with a hook statement to grab the audience’s interest.

These elements will help in getting a clear picture of the topic under discussion. Moreover, it will also connect the reader with the main essay question.

5.2 Cause and Effect Essay Body Paragraphs

The main body provides supporting evidence about the causes that lead to the effects. Furthermore, each body paragraph must include a description of the causes and the effects.

This cause and effect relationship helps the readers to understand the impacts of the event. Also, a writer can suggest possible recommendations to deal with the situation.

5.3 Cause and Effect Essay Antithesis Paragraph

The antithesis paragraph of the cause and effect essay discusses the other side of the argument. It presents the major reasons for choosing a subject and the occurrence of cause and effect variables.

5.4 Cause and Effect Essay Conclusion

The conclusion gives a brief summary of the entire essay. It requires the writer to restate the thesis statement and the major causes and effects of an event.

Similarly, if your chosen topic has influenced the world, state a call to action to overcome the issue. Write a compelling concluding sentence that informs the reader about the outcomes of your research work.

Also, check out the available conclusion examples to get an idea about the vocabulary and structure used by other writers.

Here is a complete outline format of a cause and effect essay.

Cause and Effect Essay Outline Format

6. Create Your Essay Draft

Write your essay draft by following the above outline. Make sure to keep it simple by using easy and appropriate language. Moreover, it is better to stick to the essay’s structure and format. Also, use smooth transitions to connect ideas from one paragraph to another.

However, give enough time to edit between your first and second drafts. Take at least a day or two to write and revise your final draft. It will help you identify mistakes that may go unnoticed previously.

Typically, every cause and effect essay includes the following common errors.

Thus, to avoid them, make sure to proofread your essay twice. You can also hire a professional proofreader or can ask your friends or colleagues to proofread it. This step is vital to creating a flawless essay that leaves a strong impact on readers.

Check out the below-given cause and effect essay samples to understand better.

How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay PDF

Cause and Effect Essay Structure

Tips for Writing Cause and Effect Essays

Below are some useful tips for writing a perfect cause and effect essay.

Cause and Effect Essay Topics

Below are some good cause and effect topics to write a perfect essay.

Topics on Education

Topics on Social Media

Topics About History

Topics About Politics

Have a look at our list of topic ideas to find more fun  cause and effect essay topics .

Which Topic is Too Broad for a Cause and Effect Essay?

A broad topic is one that is very general and includes a lot of information. Similarly, the topic with many causes or effects is considered too broad for a cause and effect essay.

It is because such themes have various factors that contribute to one result. Nevertheless, it is not possible to discuss them in an ordinary 500 words essay as you will not be able to fit all the information in.

For Example:

What Causes Water Pollution In Third World Countries?

Explanation:

In this example, the writer is required to discuss water pollution in third-world countries. For this, various causes need to be analyzed, including unsafe water sources, lack of sanitation facilities, and poor hygiene.

As discussed earlier, themes with many causes that contribute to a single effect are said to be broad ones. Similarly, this example illustrates the different causes that lead to one major result, which is ‘water pollution.’ Thus, it is better to avoid such broad topics while writing a cause-and-effect essay.

Cause and Effect Essay Examples

Here are some good cause and effect essay examples for you. They will help you understand the basics, structure, and essay pattern properly.

Cause and Effect Essay Sample

Cause and Effect Essay on Smoking

Cause and Effect Essay for 6th Grade

Cause and Effect Essay Examples for Elementary School

Cause and Effect Essay Examples For High School

Cause and Effect Essay Examples For Middle School

Cause and Effect Essay Examples for College

Cause and Effect Examples on Poverty

Cause and Effect Essay on Covid-19

Simple Cause and Effect Essay Examples

Cause and Effect Essay on Bullying

Personal Cause and Effect Essay Examples

5 Paragraph Cause and Effect Essay Examples (PDF)

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180 Cause and Effect Essay Topics

Cause and Effect Essay Topics

essay about technology cause and effect

That’s why cause-and-effect essays are one of the most commonly assigned writing assignments in all of academia. They test a student’s ability to draw connections and make logical arguments as well as research abilities and writing skills. 

They can be very enjoyable to write if you know the fundamentals of essay writing, understand what this type of essay requires, and choose the right topic. In this article, you’ll get a brief overview of what a cause and effect essay is, tips on how to choose the right topic, and a list of over 150 topics to inspire you!

What is a Cause and Effect Essay?

A cause and effect essay is a writing assignment that asks you to explore the causes of certain events and link them to their outcomes. These types of essays can be focussed on the causes, the effects, or both. They can follow the typical 5 paragraph essay format, or they can have more body paragraphs than usual, depending on the complexity of the topic chosen. 

How to Choose a Cause and Effect Essay Topic

Since the entire paper will be about the causes and effects of your topic, choosing the right topic is vitally important for this type of essay. Sometimes teachers give a general theme to follow which makes it easier to choose a specific topic. Having the freedom to choose any topic you want can be daunting but as long as you keep the following points in mind, you’ll find an excellent topic to write about. 

Cause and Effect Essay Topics List for Students

Cause and effect essay topics for high school.

20 topics for cause and effect essay for high school students related to their experiences and chosen to match the level of complexity expected. 

Can student activism cause changes in the world?
What is the impact of growing up a child of divorce?
What are the main causes of anxiety in high school?
What are the effects of having very rich or famous parents?
How does having a messy room impact productivity?
What are the reasons that comic book movies rarely get Academy Awards?
Why is music better today, or why was it better in the past?
Why do students cheat?
What are the effects of playing group sports on social bonding?
What should people do to avoid getting sick?
Can online shopping cause shopping addiction?
Why are some video games more fun than others?
Why are oil spills so bad for marine ecosystems?
Why does weight have such a large impact on self-esteem?
What is the effect of family vacation on family relationships?
Why are people afraid of trying new things?
Why should humans protect endangered species?
How does theoretical physics affect the real world?
What are the long-term effects of vaping?
Is there a connection between bullying culture and school violence?

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Cause and Effect Essay Topics for College Students

Here’s a collection of 20 unique topics for college-level papers that will benefit from research and deep analytical skills.

Why do so many Americans still live in poverty?
What is the impact of underage drinking?
How does fasting impact your overall health?
What would be the difference if an asteroid impacted land or ocean?
Why do we buy so many things we don’t need?
What is the UN doing to combat modern-day slavery?
What is the impact of religious oppression in a country?
Why do sports and physical activity release endorphins?
Why is Japan more technologically advanced than many countries in the world?
How has the internet affected education in remote villages in developing nations?
How did Christianity shape colonialism?
Why is it dangerous not to finish a course of prescription medication?
What are the effects of picture and video apps on self-esteem?
Should standardized testing have such a large impact on a student’s future?
What is the impact of colonialism on modern-day Africa?
What is the impact of distance learning on mental health?
What are the benefits of studying in a group versus studying alone?
Is it possible to date and still be focused on academics?
Do violent movies and video games lead to real-life violence?
What is the impact of being raised in a multi-generational household?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics for Middle School

These 20 topics are perfect for teenagers to think about and should inspire them to write a fantastic essay. 

What is the effect of bullying on school culture and school spirit?
Why is it important to think about the environment?
What are the effects of spending time in nature?
What were the causes of World War II?
How has Covid-19 changed your daily routine?
What would happen if everybody did only what they wanted to?
What is the connection between music and mathematics?
How can social media and the internet reduce loneliness?
Why was the invention of the steam engine so important?
Describe a society where people learned to get along with each other.
Should famous people who say or do bad things lose their fans?
Why do countries close to the equator usually have spicy food?
What has been the effect of rap lyrics on poetry?
What are some of the benefits of colonizing Mars?
How do video games affect academic achievement?
What is the role of parental punishment on motivation?
What are the benefits of celebrating holidays from different religions?
What is the fallout from posting an unpopular story on Instagram?
How can you build a successful social media channel?
How does having a fun teacher affect student motivation?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics for Elementary Level

While these types of essays can become very complex, it is important for young children to start understanding the connection between things and exploring causes and effects at an early age. Here are 20 topics perfect for kids!

Why is it important to learn to share?
Why is it important to eat a good breakfast?
What have you learned from your favorite cartoon character?
How does the weather impact your mood?
Why should children get more time to play?
How do you feel after getting a good night’s sleep?
Why should Santa Claus bring you the toys you want?
What would you do if you saw an injured animal?
Why are birthdays important?
Why is riding a bike good for the environment?
How would having a smartphone improve your life?
How does being an older brother or sister make you different?
How does being a younger brother or sister make you different?
Why is it important to learn math?
Do having pets make you more responsible?
What are the effects of bullying on the bully?
What is the impact of your favorite Marvel superhero on the plot of the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
What are the causes and effects of being popular?
Why is littering bad for society?
Why is it important to eat vegetables?

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Cause and Effect Essay Topics Ideas

Fun cause and effect essay topics.

20 good cause and effect essay topics that are just plain fun to think about!

How are esports going to change the future?
What would it be like to give up all social media as a high school student?
Should people with more money be taxed at a higher rate?
Are periodic revolutions good for the progression of society?
How does smiling affect how long you live?
What are the benefits of owning a pet?
What started the domestication of animals by humans?
How has the use of cell phones affected in-person interaction?
What would be the impact on society if people could directly vote for every important issue?
What makes Elon Musk such a magnetic person?
What would the world be like if Facebook never existed?
Why are young people better at gaming than older people?
How is virtual reality going to change entertainment?
Why have science fiction movies become so popular over the last decade?
What responsibilities should social media influencers automatically be aware of?
What was the impact of Star Wars on the film industry?
How did YouTube change the way humans create and consume media?
Would Harry Potter have been less popular if the main character was a woman?
What effect does the language you speak have on the way you think?
What would the impact of raising the minimum wage be?

Easy Cause and Effect Essay Topics

You don’t have to write something too complicated to get a good grade! Here are 20 easy essay topic examples for your paper. 

What are the main causes of teenage smoking?
How do school uniforms improve cohesion and morale?
What is the impact of sweet fruit juices on health?
What role does the media have on public opinion?
What are the benefits of traveling abroad?
Do people feel better after crying?
Does using a smartphone right before sleeping negatively impact sleep quality?
Why is it more difficult for immigrants to find a job?
What are the effects of working out too much?
Does online dating make people have lower social skills?
How can improving time management reduce stress?
What is the impact of family stability on academic performance?
How does attending college impact lifelong earning potential?
Why is Google the most popular search engine?
How is carbon dioxide a greenhouse gas?
Why was the #Metoo movement so important?
What are the benefits of reading for pleasure as a child?
How has globalization impacted the role of women in societies?
What are the negative impacts of sound pollution?
How can a single species impact large ecosystems?

Personal Cause and Effect Essay Topics

Go over these 20 essay topics to write an essay that relies more on self reflection and personal growth. 

How has your favorite book impacted your life?
Is parenthood always a rewarding experience?
How does being selfish eventually impact oneself negatively?
What are the impacts of optimism on happiness?
How can a single individual make a significant change in the world?
How can meditation improve quality of life?
How has guilt affected your life personally?
How do people do bad things without realizing it?
Why are people afraid of commitment?
How does being in an abusive relationship impact both people?
What is the impact of being a minority on self-identity?
What is the connection between overthinking and depression?
How has the most significant relationship in your life shaped you?
How does getting older impact the ability to learn new things?
Why do people chase a feeling of control?
What are the impacts of living with someone with a mental disorder?
How long does it take to get over a serious breakup?
What are the reasons you want to be rich?
What would make you happy?
What is the best way of using social power?

Interesting Cause and Effect Essay Topics

20 interesting essay topics that will make your essay stand out amongst the crowd. 

What are some of the ways the world would have been different if the axis powers won WWII?
Do strikes and protests work effectively for different types of issues?
What would happen to coastal populations if ocean levels increased by 2 meters?
How much do tv shows and movies impact the way people think about other countries?
What has been the impact of rising internet penetration rates in developing countries?
What social care measures should countries implement in the face of catastrophes like Covid-19?
What is the connection between science and religion?
What would you do if you could become president of the world for 1 year?
How do phytoplankton in the ocean impact life on Earth?
Why is going to college an indicator of long-term happiness?
Why are certain video games popular amongst certain groups?
How does someone decide which music genre is their favorite?
How is artificial intelligence going to change the military and therefore the world?
What makes someone exceptional in their chosen field?
What are the most important characteristics of a good boss?
Can escapism be beneficial in situations such as trauma?
Does living together before marriage hurt or harm the long-term relationship?
What effect do different colors have on mood?
Is the continued growth of technology going to make people value in-person events more?
How has the first amendment impacted countries around the world?

Controversial Cause and Effect Essay Topics

Here are 20 controversial topics to think about. Be warned! You’ll have to do really solid research and make your point eloquently.

What was the impact of American foreign policy during the Cold War?
Does stem cell research have the potential to save millions of lives?
How do genetically modified crops impact the human body?
How do increasing temperatures impact rates of transmissible diseases?
How do oil-producing companies and their lobbies impact the search for renewable energy?
How do fashion companies end up employing children in sweatshops?
Can pizza now be considered an American food?
How do kings, queens, or any form of royalty impact the society of a country?
What are some of the negative outcomes of social Darwinism?
Why did the communism of the Soviet Union fail?
What has China’s one-child policy done to advance economic growth in the country?
How have sedition laws been used to censor free speech?
If artificial intelligence develops sentience, should they be given human rights?
How does a bad president impact that country's international reputation?
What are the roots of Russia’s aggressive international policies?
What are the negative impacts of the introduction of nonnative species?
What are the effects of gun regulation laws on murder rates around the world?
Are certain drugs beneficial for psychiatric treatment?
What was the root of the eugenics movement around the world in the early 1900s?
What has the impact of animal testing been on human health?

Final Thoughts

If you want to delve deep into a particular topic and analyze the causes and effects, a cause and effect essay is the perfect choice for you. It can be a fascinating process if you choose the right topic. This article has provided you with 180 topics to consider and guidelines on selecting a topic. If you need any help with coursework writing , research paper writing service , or custom essay writing , Studyfy's team of professional writers and dissertation writing services can guide you in the right direction. Additionally, their essay editing and proofreading services can help you improve your essay and make it stand out. Choose Studyfy, the best essay service , to help you achieve academic success.

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essay about technology cause and effect

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essay about technology cause and effect

Technology Cause and Effects

There is no disagreeing the fact that technical improvement has had a negative influence on the planet. Everything from the air we inhale to the food we eat is polluted these days due to the use also misuse of special innovations of technology. likewise, pollution in air is done my motor vehicles. Insecticides infect the food we eat. Some people believe that the only way to inverse environmental damage caused due to technology is to adopt a simple routine. Others claim that technology can disengage the destruction caused due to it.

To start with, the reason that we all should now be aware of greener life, void of technology is impossible. We are so acclimatized to have technology in our life that it is now unbearable to imagine a world without lights, fans, freezers or supercomputers. So, even if technology is triggering substantial environmental damage. it is difficult to persuade people that they should stop using it. The impact that social media has on each human being have clear advantages, people from different nation are brought together via networking sites such as Facebook, before the development of technology and social media, people were having a rare chance of meeting and talking with anyone of their community or close relatives.

An enhanced answer is to invest in eco-friendly machineries that can alleviate much of the ecological injury previously completed. Technologists have now started operating on them. similarly, many trains now run on electrical energy. They cause much less contamination than diesel engines.

essay about technology cause and effect

Proficient in: Advantages Of Technology

“ She followed all my directions. It was really easy to contact her and respond very fast as well. ”

Electric cars are additional auspicious technology. It is safe to simulate that in ten to fifteen years, they will entirely switch cars running on fossil fuels. Likewise, greener energy sources like wind and solar may soon replace conventional energy sources like coal. Having a glimpse on social media, the effects of Facebook and other social media sites on communities are negative and can be seen easily, individual person taking part in local community, stead of selecting to have more interest in online chatting. Basically, the local communities are not having close or supporting relationships are before. Furthermore, people choose to become bitty and incoherent and spend more time on social media with whom they have never met face to face also they do not know they will meet them or not in future.

To conclude, while it is true that technology triggered a great damage to the nature, it is also all proficient of discovery clarifications to the difficulties it. affected. As technology regenerates to improve, it is sure that it will become fresher and greener. Thus, the argument that adopting a simple life is the only way to mitigate environmental damage does not hold much water, although social media sites have brought us closer, some of them do not have bad effects on society and communities. Communities should try to get more involved in local activities and promote them for future.

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Technology Cause and Effects

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Cause and effect, technology.

                                                    A Simple Machine, Yet Useful in Everyone's Lives.              In our daily lives, we have seen much technological equipment that we take for granted, such as cars that provide transportation, radio, and television for entertainment and educational purposes. Yet, many people are amazed at how useful their computers are such that the invention of computers in the United States has been enormous. Computers allow students to learn various skills such as word processing, such that students and teachers could work more collaboratively. One of the reasons why computers have a tremendous impact in our lives because they are not just a piece of machines that only performing a single task. With the availability of computers, people could net surfing, download music, watch movies, do research, and more. In addition, computers are mainly used in education and communication purposes.              The computer revolution has significantly contributed to an exciting part of education and learning. Computers have changed how students learn, study, and do assignments. When a student is working on a project on the computer and doing it well, answering the questions provided correct. Then the individual feels great about him or herself, in return, success boosts one's confidence by giving him or her positive emotional benefits in a way that computers encouraged the students to go back on the computer and improve their skills even more. In addition, positive academic affects could also take place when using computers. For example, the most basic way that computers help students is through word processing software. With word processing programs such as Microsoft Word students can access programs to edit, correct spelling errors, and much more. Microsoft Word also gives students the ability to be creative, add pictures, and use different fonts when they are working on an assignment or project on a computer. They could also save their work on a disk and electronically mail the assignments to their teachers or friends without the hassle of going to their houses.

Essays Related to cause and effect, technology

1. mobile technology and youth culture.

essay about technology cause and effect

This paper gives a review of what is occurring with cell phones also, what is the effect of using cell phones on youth. Why we consider utilizing cell phones may change habitual process of everyday interaction and what will its potential effect be on the youth will be answered. ... Therefore, during the research its effects on the society both in the long-term and short term will be analyzed, and cause to search advancement of mobile technology and its effect on youth. ... Therefore, this time limitation does not allow finding information before 1990s and comparing effect of mobile media on ...

2. Cause and Effect of Technologi

essay about technology cause and effect

Although technology may seem like a positive thing for man, the negative factors of these technological advances such as lack of human interaction and laziness have caused more problems than anticipated. ... The development of the telephone, an immediate cause, resulted in effect of people not having to see each other in person to talk to each other. ... However in return it has caused much laziness; the car has contributively caused many people to become lazy. ... This is an example of how progress has had a negative effect on the world. ... h the effects of technology. ...

3. Cause and Effect essay

essay about technology cause and effect

Automobiles are an excellent example of how technology can backfire in this world. ... Another polluting effect of automobiles is the heat it creates. ... In addition, the worse polluting effect of automobiles is the exhaust. ... The reliance on technologies we take for granted is also a negative effect of technology. ... Some car materials harm the environment directly or can cause human health effects. ...

4. Technology

essay about technology cause and effect

Technology is the mark of man, the application of ingenuity, technology is the art and science that constantly evolves. ... Technology had and has a very profound effect on humanity. ... Money has caused such issues over many things it would be cruel not to mention it as one of the most brilliant forms of thought ever. ... One of the most overlooked aspects of technology is necessity. ... Having the greatest effect of anything imaginable. ...

5. Airplane Technology

essay about technology cause and effect

A resultant effect of the proliferation of technology is reduced cost of communication and travel influenced by competition. ... The remainder remains in the atmosphere where it combines with other gasses to form a lid surrounding the globe; known as the greenhouse effect. ... Some of them such as helicopters are slow and fly at low ranges causing a lot of noise pollution to residents. ... One may wonder how this occurs, but it is evident that during landing and takeoff this planes cause a lot of noise to the surrounding making it inhabitable. ... Among them are environmental concerns of the t...

6. Technology

Positive and Negative aspects of Computer Technology Answering machines, voice mail, pagers, computers, Internet services, cellular phones, and compact disks are just some of the new technologies that have been developed within the past few decades. ... Technology is changing very rapidly. As the future approaches, more and more new technology will be coming forth and effecting everyone in some way. ... The technology Revolution will effect many people. ... Technology is the cause of many physical and mental problems in the world. ...

7. Technology

essay about technology cause and effect

Technology in many ways has made our lives easier. ... Technology can also have a negative effect on families, individuals and societies. ... Some of technologies cause social problems. ... (Google) Too much TV can have a bad effect on a child especially when every six years old child has his/her own TV in its bedrooms. ... A high technology such as Computers and Internet are also the cause of some social problems. ...

8. Impact of Technology in Education and Training

Impact of Technology in Education and Training To grasp the impact that technology is creating in education and training, society must consider how technology has revolutionized America's culture. ... Leadership from Information Technology Association of America, the U. ... Department of Education, in teamwork to examine the root causes of the skills gap and reiterated the need for public/private partnerships to address the issue. ... The Office of Technology Policy and the U. ... From the employees at the lowest ladder rung to the chief executive office at the top, corporate workers ...

9. Metaphors

essay about technology cause and effect

Everyday Metaphors Metaphors are used to clarify and brighten the effect of our words to the listener. ... For Example, the term "virus", does not imply a biological virus or a microbe like the flue that could cause illness. ... Once a computer is infected by one, it creates problems that could cause ones computer not to function properly or to "crash". ... The other metaphor commonly used in the information technology field as well as in the last paragraph is "Crash". ... Conclusion The information technology field uses many metaphors. ...

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Noise and Health

Noise pollution is more than a nuisance. It's a health risk

Viral World Issue

close-up of a knob that regulates sound volume

Airplanes pierce the night. Leaf blowers interrupt fall mornings. Quiet gives way to air conditioners, pounding music, construction equipment, street traffic, barking dogs, sirens.

For half a century, U.S. agencies such as the EPA have deemed noise pollution “a growing danger to the health and welfare of the Nation’s population.” The European Environmental Agency reports that noise ranks second only to air pollution as the environmental exposure most harmful to public health.

Yet, in sectors from government regulation to health care practice, the threats posed by noise remain “often underestimated,” according to the International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise.

Researchers and clinicians are trying to change this. They’ve shown that noise pollution not only drives hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypersensitivity to sound, but can cause or exacerbate cardiovascular disease; type 2 diabetes; sleep disturbances; stress; mental health and cognition problems, including memory impairment and attention deficits; childhood learning delays; and low birth weight. Scientists are investigating other possible links, including to dementia.

Subscribe to  Harvard Medicine  magazine

Research also reveals how noise pollution connects with climate change. Many contributors to global warming generate noise, chief among them transportation and fossil fuel extraction and processing. Urban sprawl and deforestation destroy natural carbon absorption reservoirs while removing natural sound buffers. Technologies that help people deal with climate change, like air conditioners and generators, can be noisy. Conversely, certain climate mitigation strategies such as creating green spaces in concrete jungles offer opportunities to muffle noise.

Wanted: better models

Estimates hold that chronic noise exposure contributes to 48,000 new cases of heart disease in Europe each year and disrupts the sleep of 6.5 million people. Quantifying noise pollution’s contribution to health problems and death in the United States, however, remains a challenge because of poor measuring and monitoring, says Peter James, an HMS associate professor of population medicine in Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute’s Department of Population Medicine. This makes it harder to determine the best policies and medical practices for care.

“The U.S. hasn’t really funded noise control or noise research since the 1980s,” says James. “It’s a big problem. We need to prioritize this so we can really pin down how noise affects health.”

To say the onus is on the individual to fix their noise exposure is not feasible.

James helps colleagues apply existing noise modeling data to large cohort studies, such as the Nurses’ Health Study, to analyze participants’ noise exposures and health outcomes. The models have low resolution, however, and working with them can be frustrating: researchers can’t be sure whether a negative finding means noise doesn’t contribute to a particular outcome, such as something as seemingly unrelated as menopause onset, or the data weren’t robust enough to reveal a connection. James hopes to augment epidemiological data with input from participants using sensors and apps, which can deliver precise location and health information.

“Given what we do know, noise is too significant an issue for us to sit around and wait to have perfect data,” he says.

James led a seminal 2017 study, published in  Environmental Health Perspectives , which shows that people in neighborhoods with low socioeconomic status and higher proportions of residents of color bear the brunt of noise pollution in this country.

“We want our patients to reduce their exposure as much as possible, such as wearing ear plugs or investing in soundproofing insulation, but that’s not possible for many who live in the noisiest areas,” he says. “To say the onus is on the individual to fix their noise exposure is not feasible.”

Heart, felt

Another branch of inquiry focuses on how vibrations from noise can cause impairments. Part of the answer lies in the stress-response system. Researchers have found that the more people are bothered by noise, the greater the health risks they face from it. Yet, even those who tune out noise pollution, whether when awake or asleep, experience autonomic stress reactions.

Ahmed Tawakol, an HMS associate professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Michael Osborne, an HMS instructor in medicine at Mass General, have used advanced PET scanning to show that transportation noise is associated with heightened activity of the amygdala relative to regulatory cortical regions. Amygdalar activity can trigger stress pathways, including inflammation, that can lead to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Participants with a higher ratio of amygdalar to cortical activity had more risk for adverse outcomes in follow-up. The link persisted even after accounting for other disease risk factors.

In the clinic, Tawakol and Osborne say that evidence supports strategic intervention rather than trying to squeeze questions about noise into each patient encounter.

“If a patient mentions noise as a cause of stress, especially if they have or are at risk of cardiovascular disease, I’d certainly recommend personal noise mitigation strategies and stress reduction techniques,” Osborne says.

As researchers reveal the mechanisms and magnitude of noise-induced illness, clinicians will become better equipped to identify at-risk patients and prescribe effective solutions.

Stephanie Dutchen is manager of feature content and multimedia in the HMS Office of Communications and External Relations.

Image: Merovingian/Digitalvision Vectors/Getty images

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Marijuana linked to mental health risks in young adults, growing evidence shows

Drawn illustration of a profile-view of a human head, as a silhouette of a person is being tangled in marijuana plant leaves.

Over the last decade of diagnosing countless young patients with new psychotic disorders, one striking result has stuck out for New York City psychiatrist Dr. Ryan Sultan.

“Of all the people I’ve diagnosed with a psychotic disorder,” he said, “I can’t think of a single one who wasn’t also positive for cannabis.” 

Sultan, an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia Irving Medical Center, is one of many experts raising serious concerns about the increasing marijuana use by adolescents and young adults.

And the evidence is growing of marijuana’s association with psychiatric disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, especially in young men. 

essay about technology cause and effect

Study links young adults' marijuana use and mental health illness

New research published this month, involving millions of people worldwide over decades, is adding to worries that heavy use of high-potency cannabis and legalization of recreational weed in many U.S. states could exacerbate the nation's mental health crisis in young adults.

“There is a big sense of urgency not just because more people are smoking marijuana, but because more people are using it in ways that are harmful, with higher and higher concentration of THC,” Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), said in an interview. 

One of the studies, from researchers in Denmark in collaboration with the U.S. National Institutes of Health, found evidence of an association between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia. The finding was most striking in young men ages 21-30, but was also seen in women of the same age. 

The paper, published in the journal Psychological Medicine, looked at data from almost 7 million men and women in Denmark over the course of a few decades to look for a link between schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder . 

essay about technology cause and effect

High-potency marijuana products pose new risks to teenagers

The magnitude of the connection between cannabis and schizophrenia for young men surprised study author Volkow, who was expecting the number to be closer to 10%.

“This is worrisome,” she said. 

There are now 22 states that allow recreational use of marijuana, with Minnesota likely to become the next state to legalize it. 

Whether recreational cannabis laws contribute to underage consumption is unclear, but Volkow has made addressing cannabis use among teenagers one of NIDA’s top priorities. Daily marijuana use among young adults has risen to record highs, with more than 1 in 10 of young adults ages 19-30 now reporting daily use, and almost half reporting use within the last year, according to the agency's most recent data.

Another study , led by Sultan and Columbia researchers published earlier this month, found that teenagers who use cannabis only recreationally are two to four times more likely to develop psychiatric disorders, including  depression and suicidality, than teenagers who don’t use cannabis at all.

Because research to date has been observational and doesn’t directly prove cause and effect, the connection between marijuana and psychiatric disorders is controversial. It’s unclear whether people who already have or are developing psychiatric conditions are more likely to turn to cannabis as a way to self-medicate or whether cannabis use triggers mental problems.

Volkow is optimistic that a large ongoing study on adolescent brain development at the National Institutes of Health can help answer this question.

Sultan acknowledged the limitations of the evidence. “It’s sort of this circular feedback where they’re kind of just feeding off each other,” he said. 

Dr. Deepak D’Souza, a psychiatrist at Yale University who has been studying cannabis for 20 years, insists there are too many lines of evidence to ignore. 

“We may be grossly underestimating the potential risks associated with cannabis,” he said. 

Given increasing legalization and rising potency in cannabis products, D’Souza has never been more worried about the mental health effects of cannabis use among youth.

“This is a massive concern,” he said. “We have been woefully inept in educating the public and influencing policy.” 

Is legalization affecting rates of marijuana use?

Early data suggests that in young adults ages 18-25, legalization is leading to higher rates of cannabis use, particularly in Oregon and Washington, according to an analysis published earlier this month in the journal Substance Abuse.

The research, led by researchers from McMaster University in Canada, found the evidence in other age groups a little less clear, and more research is needed to understand how legalization is affecting rates of cannabis use.  

In areas where marijuana becomes legal and easier to access, Volkow’s concern is the ease with which products can be mixed, leading to a high total dose of marijuana consumed. 

One of the biggest issues, she says, is the lack of regulation on the concentration of THC in products.

Marijuana consumed decades ago had concentrations of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient, of 2 to 3%, but cannabis products today can have THC levels as high as 90%.

“That’s not even the case for alcohol as you cannot put more than a certain percent alcohol into liquor,” she said. “The same thing with tobacco cigarettes, you regulate how much nicotine they have. Here, we have no regulation.”

THC potency is significant, Volkow said, because cannabis is more likely to be linked to psychosis with higher doses consumed. 

What age is the most vulnerable?

Research has shown that the human brain is the last organ to fully develop and doesn’t finish until the mid-to-late 20s. That makes adolescents and young adults particularly vulnerable to the effects of cannabis as their brains continue to mature. 

“Really, the ideal time to consider using weed — if you’re going to use it — is 26 or later,” Sultan said. 

People who wait until at least age 26 are much less likely to become addicted or develop mental disorders, said Dr. Sharon Levy, a pediatrician and addiction specialist at Boston Children’s Hospital. 

“The greatest risks are clearly in the adolescent and young adult age range,” she said.

However, people with a family history of a psychotic disorder shouldn’t use cannabis at all, Sultan cautioned

What does cannabis do to the brain?

Although scientists are still learning about the effects of marijuana on developing brains, studies so far suggest marijuana use in teenagers may affect functions such as attention, memory and learning , multiple studies have found.

“It’s somehow interfering with the connections that we use in our brain to distinguish between what’s going on in our heads and what’s going on outside of our heads,” Levy said in reference to the psychotic symptoms that can happen. 

D’Souza added that cannabis use can have serious impacts on the developing brain because of its effects on the endocannabinoid system, a complex signaling system in the brain that marijuana targets. 

“Endocannabinoid systems play an important role in sculpting the brain during adolescence, which is when schizophrenia usually manifests itself,” he said.

Disturbing that system with cannabis use could have “far reaching complex implications on brain development.” 

essay about technology cause and effect

Akshay Syal, M.D., is a medical fellow with the NBC News Health and Medical Unit. 

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