Which type of validity is demonstrated when scores on a measure are not related to other measures that are theoretically different?

Which type of validity is demonstrated when scores on a measure are not related to other measures that are theoretically different?

• A. Convergent validity
• B. Discriminant validity
• C. Criterion validity
• D. Population validity

Answer: (B)

Discriminant validity shows that a measure is not related to other measures of different, theoretically distinct constructs, indicating it taps a unique concept. When scores on your measure have little or no association with measures of unrelated traits (for example, a measure of social anxiety not aligning with a test of physical strength), that lack of correlation supports discriminant validity. This contrasts with convergent validity, where scores would strongly relate to other measures of the same construct. Criterion validity involves how well the measure predicts an external criterion, and population validity concerns how well findings generalize to other groups. So, the pattern of low correlations with different constructs best demonstrates discriminant validity.

Discriminant validity shows that a measure is not related to other measures of different, theoretically distinct constructs, indicating it taps a unique concept. When scores on your measure have little or no association with measures of unrelated traits (for example, a measure of social anxiety not aligning with a test of physical strength), that lack of correlation supports discriminant validity. This contrasts with convergent validity, where scores would strongly relate to other measures of the same construct. Criterion validity involves how well the measure predicts an external criterion, and population validity concerns how well findings generalize to other groups. So, the pattern of low correlations with different constructs best demonstrates discriminant validity.