Although definitions of validity have evolved considerably since L. J. Cronbach and P. E. Meehl's classic (1955) review, contemporary validity research continues to emphasize correlational analyses assessing predictor-criterion relationships, with most outcome criteria being self-reports. The present article describes an alternative way of…

Psychological cost, benefit, and profit scales, with regard to continued education, were constructed on the basis of questionnaire data from 421 high school seniors. The analyses showed a clear, positive relationship between psychological benefit-profit and level of aspiration with regard to continued education. (Author)

Presents a comprehensive review of validity that includes an empirical evaluation of the actual and potential consequences of score interpretation and use, how those consequences come about, and what determines them. Six distinguishable aspects of construct validity are highlighted as a means of addressing central issues implicit in the notion of…