Which type of validity indicates that instrument scores relate to external measures conceptually related to the measured construct?

• A. Face validity
• B. Criterion validity
• C. Construct validity
• D. Content validity

Answer: (B)

Criterion validity looks at how well the instrument’s scores line up with external measures that are conceptually related to the construct being studied. If the test scores correlate with an established criterion or another related measure, that linkage shows the instrument is actually tapping the intended construct rather than something else. This can involve concurrent validity (scores relate to a criterion measured at the same time) or predictive validity (scores forecast a future related outcome). For example, a new anxiety questionnaire should show meaningful correlations with well‑validated anxiety measures or diagnostic outcomes. Face validity is merely about appearance, content validity worries whether the items cover the full domain, and construct validity examines the theoretical relationships with related and unrelated constructs (including convergent and discriminant validity). So the external linkage described fits criterion validity.