Discriminant validity is shown when a measure has low correlations with measures of different constructs. Which option describes this?

• A. Show low correlations with measures of different constructs.
• B. Show high correlations with measures of different constructs.
• C. Show high correlations with measures of the same construct.
• D. Show no relation to any construct.

Answer: (A)

Discriminant validity means a measurement is truly distinct from other constructs. It is shown when the measure has low correlations with measures of different constructs, demonstrating that it isn’t capturing unrelated attributes. That’s why describing low correlations with measures of different constructs is the best fit—it indicates the instrument isn’t overlapping with unrelated concepts. If it correlated highly with measures of other constructs, that would undermine discriminant validity, suggesting the measure isn’t as distinct as it should be. Correlating highly with measures of the same construct, on the other hand, speaks to convergent validity rather than discriminant validity.