Construct validity of psychopathy in a female offender sample: A multitrait–multimethod evaluation.

The authors examined the construct of psychopathy as applied to 103 female offenders, using the multitrait-multimethod matrix proposed by D. T. Campbell and D. W. Fiske (1959). Instruments used in the study included the following: (a) Antisocial Scale of the Personality Assessment Inventory (L. C. Morey, 1991); (b) Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (R. D. Hare, 1990); and (c) Antisocial scale of the Personality Disorder Examination (A. W. Loranger, 1988). Criterion-related validity was also evaluated to determine the relationship between psychopathy and staff ratings of aggressive and disruptive behavior within the institution. Results revealed significant convergence and divergence across the instruments supporting the construct of psychopathy in a female offender sample. The measures of psychopathy demonstrated moderate convergence with staff ratings of violence, verbal aggression, manipulativeness, lack of remorse, and noncompliance. It is interesting to note that an exploratory factor analysis of the PCL-R identified a substantially different factor structure for women than has been previously found for male psychopathy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Construct validity: Construct representation versus nomothetic span.

Presents a new approach to construct validation research: construct modeling. A paradigm shift from functionalism to structuralism in psychology permits 2 types of research to be separated. Construct representation is concerned with identifying the theoretical mechanisms that underlie responses, such as information processes, strategies, and knowledge stores. Three approaches to assessing construct representation are presented: (1) mathematical modeling, particularly as used in cognitive psychology; (2) psychometric modeling, as exemplified by latent trait modeling; and (3) multicomponent latent trait modeling. Nomothetic span is concerned with the network of relationships of a test score with other variables. These 2 types of construct validation research address different issues and require different types of data. For each type of construct validation research, appropriate methods and quantitative models are presented to test a priori hypotheses about construct validity. Examples are presented, and the construct modeling approach is compared with both the traditional psychometric approach and the information-processing approach to establishing theoretical mechanisms in performance. (41 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Construct validity: A Critique.

"The renaming of the process of building a theory of behavior by the new term 'construct validity' contributes nothing to the understanding of the process nor to the usefulness of the concepts. The introduction into discussion of psychological theorizing of the aspects of construct validity discussed… creates, at best, unnecessary confusion and at worst, a nonempirical, nonscientific approach to the study of behavior." Terminology of logical behaviorism and techniques of an "operational methodology" are preferred. "It is… recommended that the formulation of construct validity, as presented in the several papers noted in this critique, be eliminated from further consideration as a way of speaking about psychological concepts, laws, and theories." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The content validity of juvenile psychopathy: An empirical examination.

This study examined the content validity of a juvenile psychopathy measure, the Childhood Psychopathy Scale (CPS; D. R. Lynam, 1997), based on a downward translation of an adult instrument, the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R; R. D. Hare, 1991). The CPS was compared with two other indices of juvenile psychopathy: (a) an index derived from expert ratings and (b) an empirical index based on correlations with adult psychopathy. The 100 items of the Common Language Q-Sort (CLQ; A. Caspi et al., 1992) provided a common metric for the comparison. Psychopathy and personality were assessed at age 13 years with the mother-reported CPS and the CLQ. Psychopathy was assessed at age 24 years with the interviewer-rated Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV; S. D. Hart, D. N. Cox, & R. D. Hare, 1995). Data from over 250 participants of the middle sample of the Pittsburgh Youth Study were used to examine these relations. Item content analyses demonstrated considerable overlap among the three indices, indicating that the downward translation utilizes criteria similar to those of experts and the empirically-derived measure. In addition, these indices, even after removing overlapping items, demonstrated considerable convergence, also supporting the content validity of the downward translation. These results suggest that the downward translation method is adequate for understanding the juvenile psychopathy construct. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Construct validity and social desirability.

Comments on the article by R. Hogan and R. A. Nicholson (see record 1989-00097-001) on the construct validity of personality tests and argues that Hogan and Nicholson attributed to A. L. Edwards (1953) conclusions that Edwards never made, concerning the use of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the influence of social desirability. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Outcome assessment: From conceptualization to implementation.

A method of assessing outcome after psychotherapy in private practice or clinics is described. Use of this system is illustrated by reference to the progress and rate of recovery of 27 patients seen by a private practice clinician in comparison with base rates from a prior study. The results suggested more rapid recovery in the patients treated by an experienced clinician committed to a brief, solution focused psychotherapy. The methodology reported, based on weekly assessment of patient progress and the use of clinical significance markers, has implications for routine clinical practice as well as for managed health care practices and social policy decisions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Construct validity of in-basket scores.

This article reports a study of the construct validity of in-baskets designed to measure managerial abilities. Data were collected using randomized pretest–posttest experimental design with two alternate in-basket forms. Results indicated that (1) there was little convergent validity and evidence of method bias both within and between alternate in-basket forms and (2) brief training improved in-basket performance on the perceptiveness and delegation dimensions and on overall performance. Both lines of evidence call into question the validity of inferring individual differences in managerial ability from in-basket scores. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Construct validity of self- and peer evaluations of performance dimensions in an assessment center.

The construct validity of final self- and peer evaluations in an assessment center was examined within a nomological network of conceptually related and unrelated variables. Data included self-, peer, and assessor evaluations; cognitive ability and personality measures; and job advancement. The evidence for construct validity was stronger for peer than for self-evaluations and for more easily observable dimensions than for dimensions requiring greater inferential judgment. Self- and peer evaluations were associated with assessor ratings of management potential, whereas only peer evaluations predicted job advancement. Implications for the use of self- and peer evaluations in assessment centers and the need for further research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Construct validity in psychological tests.

"Construct validation was introduced in order to specify types of research required in developing tests for which the conventional views on validation are inappropriate. Personality tests, and some tests of ability, are interpreted in terms of attributes for which there is no adequate criterion. This paper indicates what sorts of evidence can substantiate such an interpretation, and how such evidence is to be interpreted." 60 references. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Construct validity and the predictability of behavior.

Recurring assessment problems in personality research related to the cross-situational consistency and predictability of behavior are evaluated in light of modern construct-oriented measurement theory. A recent study of the domain of conscientiousness behaviors (Mischel & Peake, 1982) is used to illustrate the consequences of not applying well-established strategies for the development and validation of psychological measures. It is argued that a careful specification of the behavioral exemplars of a trait domain and their interrelations is an essential precondition for the construct validity of a measure and for evidence of behavioral consistency. A reanalysis of the observational data of Mischel and Peake revealed conceptually and empirically identifiable facets of the domain of conscientiousness and, when behaviors were properly aggregated, substantial evidence of their construct validity and cross-situational generality. This finding is contrary to interpretations of Mischel and Peake and occurred despite several definitional and measurement problems identified in their study. Conditions contributing to the prediction of behavior across situations are outlined. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-efficacy and smoking reexamined: Construct validity and clinical utility.

131 clients (mean age 39 yrs) in a smoking cessation program rated their confidence (self-efficacy) in their ability to resist smoking at the end of treatment and throughout a 6-mo follow-up period. Consistent with previous findings, posttreatment scores significantly predicted subsequent smoking status. When concurrent smoking was partialed out, efficacy remained predictive but to a much lesser degree. The partial correlations also indicated that when pitted against concurrent smoking, confidence scores retain some unique predictive power but do not operate as a powerful mediator of the effects of concurrent behavior. Factor analysis of posttreatment scores revealed that efficacy ratings are primarily unidimensional and not situation specific. Efficacy ratings made 2 mo after treatment were quite predictive of future relapse. These analyses suggest that efficacy ratings, although generally not a mediating variable, can be useful predictors of relapse, particularly when assessed during the maintenance phase of treatment. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Construct validity and the Taylor Anxiety Scale.

"The intent of this paper has been to emphasize the directive role of theory in the construction of psychological tests." The several methodological issues arising from the use of theory in test construction are illustrated through a critical examination of the Taylor Anxiety Scale. "Our conclusion was that the A scale has only a tenuous, theoretical and empirical coordination to the Hullian construct of drive." 31 references. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Measuring facets of job ambiguity: Construct validity evidence.

In the past 2 decades, the importance of role ambiguity as an organizational variable has been well established. Recently, researchers have suggested that the lack of an instrument capable of measuring different facets of ambiguity may have impeded both theory development and application of research results. This article presents the development of an instrument capable of tapping 3 distinct aspects of job ambiguity (work method, scheduling, and performance criteria). Data relevant to the reliability, validity, and importance of the job ambiguity measures were gathered in a series of 4 studies. The results of several statistical analyses suggest that the 3 job ambiguity scales are reliable, valid, and meaningful. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Applying psychometric criteria to functional assessment in medical rehabilitation: III. Construct validity and predicting level of care

A discriminant analysis was performed using Rasch ability estimates derived from four Patient Evaluation and Conference System (PECS) subscales, to distinguish among the functional independence and impairment profiles exhibited by patients admitted into any of three levels of medical rehabilitation delineated by the National Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (NARF): (1) inpatient hospital, (2) atypical nursing home (intermediate), or (3) day program. Two discriminant functions accounted for 91% and 9% of the between-group variance, respectively. Cross-validated classification of patients into one of the three levels of care, based on discriminant function scores, produced 75% correct classification; a 66% improvement over the percentage of correct classification likely by chance alone. Results support the construct validity of the PECS subscales and indicate they may be useful in validating clinically-based admission decisions among three of the levels of care promulgated by NARF.     

Generalizability of a checklist for assessment of psychopathy.

Suggests that there are problems associated with assessments of psychopathy in prison populations that use self-report inventories and global diagnostic procedures. In response to these problems, the authors developed a behavioral checklist for psychopathy. The psychometric qualities of the checklist were evaluated using generalizability theory and classical test score indices of reliability. In each of 5 yrs, 2 raters (usually different each year) rated prison inmates (N?=?301; mean age 26.9 yrs) on 22 items. The generalizability coefficients were .85, .86, and .89 for the years 1977–1981, respectively. The generalizability coefficient for a test–retest study was .89. Classical indices of reliability (alpha coefficients and inter- and intrarater reliability) ranged from .82 to .93. Results indicate that the checklist is a highly reliable and generalizable instrument when used with prison populations. It is highly correlated with global ratings of psychopathy and criteria from the DSM-III for antisocial personality disorder. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Circumplex structure and personality disorder correlates of the Interpersonal Problems Model (IIP-C): Construct validity and clinical implications.

This study assessed the construct validity of the circumplex model of the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-C) in Norwegian clinical and nonclinical samples. Structure was examined by evaluating the fit of the circumplex model to data obtained by the IIP-C. Observer-rated personality disorder criteria (DSM-IV, Axis II) were used as external correlates. The reliability of the IIP-C scales was acceptable and in the same range as in the original version. A multisample analysis strategy did not support an invariant circumplex model across the 2 groups. However, the estimated structures reflected mostly the same circular pattern of a quasi-circumplex model in the 2 groups. Departures from the ideal model were of negligible practical significance. The validity results examining personality disorder correlates of the IIP-C generally conformed to predictions, providing direct evidence for agreement between self-report and expert judgments of interpersonal problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparison of procedures for the assessment of psychopathy.

Compared clinical-behavioral and self-report measures of psychopathy in 274 male prison inmates (mean age 29.8 yrs). Assessment procedures included global clinical ratings, a 22-item checklist, DSM-III criteria for antisocial personality disorder, and self-report version of the 22-item checklist, the Socialization scale of the California Psychological Inventory, and the MMPI. Agreement among the various assessment procedures was evaluated with correlational analyses, discriminant function analyses, and kappa coefficients of diagnostic agreement. Results indicate that there was stronger agreement among the clinical-behavioral measures (ratings, checklist, and DSM-III) than among the self-report measures. Agreement between these 2 measurement domains was, with few exceptions, poor. Findings suggest that caution should be exercised when comparisons are made among studies in which different assessment procedures for psychopathy are used. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relational self revealed: Integrative conceptualization and implications for interpersonal life.

The authors offer a new, integrative conceptualization of the relational self based on a synthesis of recent approaches to the self and significant others. This conceptualization provides a sharper and fuller definition of the relational self than does any existing approach alone and a common framework to interpret findings from separate literatures. The authors then present 5 propositions and evidence to support the thesis that relational selves exert a pervasive influence on interpersonal life. Specifically, relational selves (a) shape a wide range of psychological processes and outcomes, (b) exert their influence automatically, (c) serve basic orientation and meaning functions, (d) provide continuity and context-specific variability in personality, and (e) carry implications for psychological well-being. Discussion focuses on remaining issues and implications for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Construct validity of measures of college teaching effectiveness.

Compared evaluation form, student, colleague, trained observer, former student, and self-rating teacher assessments of 43 university instructors. Data show that student and former student ratings displayed substantially greater validity coefficients of teaching effectiveness than self-report, colleague, and trained observer ratings. Advantages of student rating techniques (i.e., greater exposure to instructor's teaching), various teaching assessment methods, and problems in the literature due to limitations of research approaches typically used are discussed. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)