Which type of validity concerns generalizing study results to other subjects and situations?

Which type of validity concerns generalizing study results to other subjects and situations?

• A. External validity
• B. Ecological validity
• C. Mundane realism
• D. Historical validity

Answer: (A)

Understanding generalizability across different people and situations is about external validity. It asks whether the study’s effects would hold up with other groups, in other settings, and at other times. That broader reach is what external validity captures—the ability to generalize beyond the specific participants and context of the study. Ecological validity is related but narrower: it focuses on how well findings translate to real-world contexts and the realism of the setting and tasks. Mundane realism refers to how everyday the stimuli or situations feel, a facet of ecological validity. Historical validity isn’t a standard term used in this area.

Understanding generalizability across different people and situations is about external validity. It asks whether the study’s effects would hold up with other groups, in other settings, and at other times. That broader reach is what external validity captures—the ability to generalize beyond the specific participants and context of the study.

Ecological validity is related but narrower: it focuses on how well findings translate to real-world contexts and the realism of the setting and tasks. Mundane realism refers to how everyday the stimuli or situations feel, a facet of ecological validity. Historical validity isn’t a standard term used in this area.