Hello!
Before all, thanks to the authors for the book!
Below is some math proving that $\mathbb{E}[Y_0 \mid T=0] = \mathbb{E}[Y_0 \mid T=1]$ is not yet enough to equate association $\mathbb{E}[Y \mid T=1] - \mathbb{E}[Y \mid T=0]$ and causation $\mathbb{E}[Y_1 - Y_0]$ as they are defined above in the chapter.
When it does not hold
Drawing on the numerical example from the document, here's a counterexample.
| i |
$\text{Y}_0$ |
$\text{Y}_1$ |
T |
Y |
TE |
| 1 |
500 |
700 |
0 |
500 |
200 |
| 2 |
600 |
800 |
0 |
600 |
200 |
| 3 |
500 |
600 |
1 |
600 |
100 |
| 4 |
600 |
700 |
1 |
700 |
100 |
Bias = $\mathbb{E}[Y_0 \mid T=0] - \mathbb{E}[Y_0 \mid T=1] = 550 - 550 = 0$.
At the same time, $\mathbb{E}[Y_1 \mid T=1] = \mathbb{E}[Y_1 \mid T=0] \ne 0$.
Association = $\mathbb{E}[Y \mid T=1] - \mathbb{E}[Y \mid T=0] = 650 - 550 = 100$.
ATT = $\mathbb{E}[Y_1 - Y_0 \mid T=1] = \frac{100 + 100}{2} = 100$.
Causation = ATE = $$\mathbb{E}[Y_1 - Y_0] = \frac{200 + 200 + 100 + 100}{4} = 150$$.
Association = ATT $\ne$ ATE = Causation.
Suggested improvement
Instead of
"If $\mathbb{E}[Y_0 \mid T=0] = \mathbb{E}[Y_0 \mid T=1]$, then, association IS CAUSATION!"
Write e.g.
"If $\mathbb{E}[Y_0 \mid T=0] = \mathbb{E}[Y_0 \mid T=1]$, then, association is the causal effect on the treated, i.e. ATT. If, additionally, $\mathbb{E}[Y_1 \mid T=1] = \mathbb{E}[Y_1 \mid T=0]$, then, association IS CAUSATION!"
Hello!
Before all, thanks to the authors for the book!
Below is some math proving that$\mathbb{E}[Y_0 \mid T=0] = \mathbb{E}[Y_0 \mid T=1]$ is not yet enough to equate association $\mathbb{E}[Y \mid T=1] - \mathbb{E}[Y \mid T=0]$ and causation $\mathbb{E}[Y_1 - Y_0]$ as they are defined above in the chapter.
When it does not hold
Drawing on the numerical example from the document, here's a counterexample.
Bias =$\mathbb{E}[Y_0 \mid T=0] - \mathbb{E}[Y_0 \mid T=1] = 550 - 550 = 0$ .$\mathbb{E}[Y_1 \mid T=1] = \mathbb{E}[Y_1 \mid T=0] \ne 0$ .
At the same time,
Association =$\mathbb{E}[Y \mid T=1] - \mathbb{E}[Y \mid T=0] = 650 - 550 = 100$ .$\mathbb{E}[Y_1 - Y_0 \mid T=1] = \frac{100 + 100}{2} = 100$ .$$\mathbb{E}[Y_1 - Y_0] = \frac{200 + 200 + 100 + 100}{4} = 150$$ .
ATT =
Causation = ATE =
Association = ATT$\ne$ ATE = Causation.
Suggested improvement
Instead of$\mathbb{E}[Y_0 \mid T=0] = \mathbb{E}[Y_0 \mid T=1]$ , then, association IS CAUSATION!"$\mathbb{E}[Y_0 \mid T=0] = \mathbb{E}[Y_0 \mid T=1]$ , then, association is the causal effect on the treated, i.e. ATT. If, additionally, $\mathbb{E}[Y_1 \mid T=1] = \mathbb{E}[Y_1 \mid T=0]$ , then, association IS CAUSATION!"
"If
Write e.g.
"If