Which type of validity is evidenced by convergent and discriminant relationships with related constructs?

Which type of validity is evidenced by convergent and discriminant relationships with related constructs?

• A. Content validity
• B. Criterion-related validity
• C. Construct validity
• D. Face validity

Answer: (C)

This question centers on construct validity. Convergent validity shows that your measure relates as expected to other measures of the same or closely related constructs, indicating it’s tapping the intended concept. Discriminant validity (divergent validity) shows low correlations with measures of different, unrelated constructs, confirming the measure isn’t capturing something else. When both hold, you have strong evidence that the instrument accurately assesses the underlying construct. For example, a new scale for social anxiety should align with established social anxiety measures (convergent) and show weaker links to traits like risk-taking or happiness (discriminant). Together, these patterns support that the scale measures social anxiety rather than something else. Content validity would focus on whether the items cover the domain comprehensively, criterion-related validity on predicting external outcomes, and face validity on appear­ance—none of which capture the convergent/discriminant relationships that define construct validity.

This question centers on construct validity. Convergent validity shows that your measure relates as expected to other measures of the same or closely related constructs, indicating it’s tapping the intended concept. Discriminant validity (divergent validity) shows low correlations with measures of different, unrelated constructs, confirming the measure isn’t capturing something else. When both hold, you have strong evidence that the instrument accurately assesses the underlying construct.

For example, a new scale for social anxiety should align with established social anxiety measures (convergent) and show weaker links to traits like risk-taking or happiness (discriminant). Together, these patterns support that the scale measures social anxiety rather than something else.

Content validity would focus on whether the items cover the domain comprehensively, criterion-related validity on predicting external outcomes, and face validity on appear­ance—none of which capture the convergent/discriminant relationships that define construct validity.