You are trying to design a new test of the psychological construct "impulsivity". You find that scores on your new test of impulsivity correlate extremely highly with scores on an existing and well-validated test of the distinct and largely unrelated psychological construct "spatial ability". Your new impulsivity test has a problem with

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Discriminant validity (also called divergent validity) refers to the extent to which a measure does not correlate strongly with measures of different, unrelated constructs. It is a subtype of construct validity showing that the test is capturing a unique construct rather than overlapping with other constructs.

1. Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- Discriminant (divergent) validity: low correlations with measures of different constructs.
- Content validity: whether test items adequately sample the domain of the construct.
- Criterion validity: whether the test correlates with an outcome or criterion it should predict (concurrent or predictive validity).
- Face validity: whether the test appears to measure the construct on its surface.

2. Step-by-step reasoning process
Step 1: Identify the constructs. New test = impulsivity; existing validated test = spatial ability (distinct and largely unrelated). Step 2: Specify the expected pattern if the new test is valid: scores on impulsivity should show low correlation with spatial ability because they measure different constructs. Step 3: Observe the actual pattern: the new impulsivity test correlates extremely highly with spatial ability. Step 4: Interpret: a high correlation with an unrelated construct indicates the new test is not discriminating between constructs and therefore lacks discriminant validity.

3. Intermediate steps / logic shown
- Hypothesis for good discriminant validity: correlation between impulsivity and spatial ability ≈ near zero or low.
- Observed: correlation is extremely high → contradiction of hypothesis → problem in discriminant validity.
No numerical calculation is required; the logical inconsistency is sufficient.

4. Why the correct answer is correct
Because discriminant validity specifically concerns whether a measure is distinct from other constructs. A high correlation with an unrelated construct indicates overlap or mismeasurement, directly signaling poor discriminant validity.

5. Why other options are incorrect
- A. Content validity: this concerns item coverage of impulsivity’s domain, not correlation with unrelated constructs.  
- B. Criterion validity: pertains to prediction of relevant outcomes, not correlation with a different construct like spatial ability.  
- D. Face validity: is about superficial appearance; a high empirical correlation with another construct is not what face validity addresses.

6. Conclusion
The new impulsivity test has a problem with C. Discriminant validity. This matches the provided answer.

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