Validity

Today’s class Check-in Quiz Validity lecture

Check in Quiz—only a quiz, worth 3% of grade Article assignment two is posted –You can choose an article or use the one I suggest Exam review guide is posted –You can work in groups if you want –Bring your completed review guide to class next Thursday the 13th

Validity Is a key issue Is crucial in psychology Is hard to establish …is poorly dealt with in your book So I will post these slides

Various types of validity we will cover Construct validity Content validity Face validity Concurrent validity Predictive validity Discriminant validity Convergent validity

Construct Validity The most important, overarching type of validity Takes time and research to establish Construct: An organized, systematic scientific idea or concept meant to fully describe a phenomenon Construct: Is “it” really what we think “it” is?

Construct validity Is “it” really what we think “it” is? –Does it occur at the rate we think –Does it actually have the qualities we expect Or more or less or different ones? –Can it be measured in the way we expect –Is it related to other things the way we expect –If its an illness do the risks that we think should cause it, actually cause it? –Do the things that should cure it actually cure it?

Construct Validity, example Psychopathy—the construct Distinct from Anti-social personality disorder ASPD is a set of behaviors Psychopathy is a presumed set of personality characteristics and qualities People with ASPD may not be psychopaths

Psychopathy Superficial charm Extreme self centeredness Lack of empathy Inability to learn from experience Deceptive Shallow emotions Impulsive, reckless, “thrill” seeking

Psychopathy Average intelligence Easily bored Lack remorse Irresponsible Manipulative Lack emotional insight into self and others

Building Construct Validity Behavior Criminality socialization Biology/Neurology Poor arousal Lack of amygdala activity Poor limbic system Job, lifestyle Attitudes Self-serving Relationships Stability, type, depth Childhood development Psychopathy Construct Demographics Cause Family history, genetics

Building construct validity Each aspect of the construct has to be measured--well Each aspect is itself a construct Sustained high quality contrary evidence should make us alter our construct Popular culture ideas are often at odds with scientific constructs This can be frustrating to clinical scientists