If a new anxiety scale correlates highly with an established anxiety scale administered at the same time, this demonstrates which type of validity?

If a new anxiety scale correlates highly with an established anxiety scale administered at the same time, this demonstrates which type of validity?

• A. Concurrent validity.
• B. Predictive validity.
• C. Content validity.
• D. Construct validity.

Answer: (A)

Concurrent validity is shown when a new anxiety scale yields a high correlation with an established anxiety scale administered at the same time. This indicates the new measure is capturing the same construct and aligns with current criteria, validating it against a known standard without waiting for future outcomes. Predictive validity would require the scale to forecast a future result, not an immediate one. Content validity concerns whether the items adequately cover the domain of anxiety, not how the scale compares to another measure. Construct validity is broader, involving how the measure relates to related and unrelated constructs; concurrent validity is the specific scenario described here.

Concurrent validity is shown when a new anxiety scale yields a high correlation with an established anxiety scale administered at the same time. This indicates the new measure is capturing the same construct and aligns with current criteria, validating it against a known standard without waiting for future outcomes.

Predictive validity would require the scale to forecast a future result, not an immediate one. Content validity concerns whether the items adequately cover the domain of anxiety, not how the scale compares to another measure. Construct validity is broader, involving how the measure relates to related and unrelated constructs; concurrent validity is the specific scenario described here.