expect highly assertive individuals to complain about the service and people
low in assertiveness to tolerate the inconvenience. But what if the test scoreswere completely unrelated to the behavior? What if people with low scores
on the scale acted just as assertively as those with high scores? In this case,
the validity of the test would be in doubt.
Another step in determining the construct validity of a test is behavioral
validation . In other words, it is important that test scores predict relevant be-
havior. It is possible that test takers respond to assertiveness scales by indicat-
ing how they think they would act or how they wish they would act. It is
possible for a test to have face validity, congruent validity, and discriminant
validity, and still have questionable construct validity. If test scores cannotpredict behavior, the usefulness of the test must be questioned.
SUMMARY
1. Personality psychologists examine personality processes through scientific
research. Most of this research is based on the hypothesis-testing ap-proach, in which hypotheses are derived logically from theories. These
hypotheses are then tested in studies, and the theory either is or is not
supported. A good theory is parsimonious and capable of generating
many testable hypotheses.
2. The basic elements of a research design are the independent and depen-
dent variables. One important distinction in personality research concernswhether independent variables are manipulated by the researcher. When
researchers examine nonmanipulated variables, they have less confidence
in making statements about cause and effect. Predicted results are betterthan those explained in hindsight because the latter approach does not
allow for hypothesis testing. Researchers are becoming increasingly aware
of the need to replicate their findings, but obtaining reliable informationabout how often an effect is replicated is a problem.
3. Many personality researchers use the case study method. Although case
studies have some limitations, such as questionable generalizability to
other populations, they also possess some unique advantages over other
methods.
4. Researchers use statistical tests to determine if the differences they find
between groups are the result of chance fluctuations or if they representgenuine effects. Personality researchers often use correlation coefficients
when analyzing their data. A correlation coefficient identifies the direc-
tion and size of a relationship between two measures.
5. Personality researchers often use personality tests in their work. To
determine the usefulness of a test, researchers look at evidence for thetest’s reliability and validity. Reliability can be gauged through test –retest
correlations and internal consistency coefficients. Validity is determinedthrough face validity, congruent validity, discriminant validity, andbehavioral validation. Researchers must make subjective judgments when
deciding whether tests are reliable and valid enough for their needs.Summary 37