Define reliability and validity. Can a test have high reliability and low validity or vice versa?

What will be an ideal response?


Reliability refers to the consistency of a test or how likely it is that a person will get the same score twice. Psychologists measure reliability by a correlation between scores taken at different times, or scores on different parts of a test. Validity refers to whether a test measures what it is supposed to measure. One way to measure validity is to find the correlation between scores on a test and some activity outside the test. A test can have high reliability without being valid, if it provides consistent scores on questions that don't test what the test is supposed to test. However, a test that is not reliable cannot be valid, because if the scores vary haphazardly, they cannot predict performance.

Psychology

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List four symptoms of PTSD.

What will be an ideal response?

Psychology

As Chandra pours herself some juice, she misses the cup and spills juice on the table. Her father chides her for being a bad girl and making a mess. Chandra is likely to

A) show moderate, adaptive levels of shame and pride. B) experience self-conscious emotions intensely. C) be more persistent on difficult tasks. D) show decreased rates of shame as she grows older.

Psychology

Despite its criticisms, why has the psychodynamic treatment approach remained viable?

A. It involves relatively brief and inexpensive counseling sessions. B. It permits the potential development of an unusual degree of insight into one's life. C. It is more objective than most other forms of psychotherapy. D. It does not put less articulate patients at a disadvantage.

Psychology

Auditory signals are carried to the brain via the __________.

A. olivocochlear bundle B. organ of Corti C. lateral lemniscus D. cochlear nerve

Psychology