A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Which type of validity assesses the accuracy of a test in measuring its intended outcome?

1. Construct validity

2. Content validity

3. Criterion validity

4. Face validity

The correct answer is: Criterion validity

Criterion validity is a form of validity that specifically examines how well one measure predicts an outcome based on another measure. It assesses the accuracy of a test in measuring its intended outcome by comparing it to a benchmark or criterion that is considered valid. This type of validity can be further divided into concurrent and predictive validity, which look at the test’s performance correlating with both immediate outcomes and future outcomes, respectively. In the context of psychological assessment, a test with strong criterion validity would effectively predict job performance, for instance, based on how well it correlates with actual job evaluations or external assessments. This makes it a crucial factor in determining the practical utility of a psychological test in various settings, such as education or clinical environments. The other types of validity mentioned focus on different aspects: construct validity assesses whether a test truly measures the theoretical construct it claims to measure; content validity evaluates if the test covers the representative breadth of the subject; and face validity considers whether the test appears to measure what it claims, based on a subjective judgment. While all these types contribute to the overall validity of a test, criterion validity specifically focuses on the accuracy regarding outcomes, making it the correct choice for this question.