A psychologist develops a measure of self-esteem in order to study the variable of self-esteem. He then conducts a number of studies investigating the differences between candidates who score low and candidates who score high on self-esteem. He does so to devise an accurate method of studying self-esteem. In this case, the psychologist is trying to establish _____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The psychologist is trying to establish construct validity, which refers to the extent to which a measure accurately assesses the construct (in this case, self-esteem) it purports to measure. By conducting studies to investigate differences between low and high scorers on self-esteem, the psychologist is trying to establish that the measure is accurate and valid. Internal validity refers to the extent to which a study establishes a causal relationship between variables, reliability refers to the consistency of a measure over time, and reactivity refers to the possibility that participants may modify their behavior in response to being observed. None of these concepts are directly relevant to the scenario described.

A Psychologist Develops a Measure of Self-Esteem in Order to Study