  We study in detail the predictions of various theoretical approaches, in
particular mode-coupling theory (MCT) and kinetically constrained models
(KCMs), concerning the time, temperature, and wavevector dependence of
multi-point correlation functions that quantify the strength of both induced
and spontaneous dynamical fluctuations. We also discuss the precise predictions
of MCT concerning the statistical ensemble and microscopic dynamics dependence
of these multi-point correlation functions. These predictions are compared to
simulations of model fragile and strong glass-forming liquids. Overall, MCT
fares quite well in the fragile case, in particular explaining the observed
crucial role of the statistical ensemble and microscopic dynamics, while MCT
predictions do not seem to hold in the strong case. KCMs provide a simplified
framework for understanding how these multi-point correlation functions may
encode dynamic correlations in glassy materials. However, our analysis
highlights important unresolved questions concerning the application of KCMs to
supercooled liquids.
