A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Which of the following is a pro of the Raine et al. study?

1. Low ecological validity

2. Can be too reductionistic

3. High construct validity

4. Low validity due to outdated technology

The correct answer is: High construct validity

The choice indicating high construct validity highlights a significant strength of the Raine et al. study. Construct validity refers to how well a test or instrument measures the theoretical construct it claims to measure. In the case of Raine et al., the study aimed to investigate the neurological underpinnings associated with violent behavior, utilizing advanced brain imaging technologies such as PET scans. This allowed the researchers to effectively examine the specific brain regions that might be linked to aggression and violence, providing supportive evidence for their hypothesis. High construct validity is established by the fact that the methods employed are directly aligned with the theoretical constructs being studied, such as the relationship between brain activity and behavior. This direct alignment reinforces the credibility of the results and allows for a clearer understanding of the processes being investigated, making the findings more applicable and relevant to the field of psychology. In contrast, aspects like low ecological validity or reductionism detract from the pragmatic significance of findings. Low ecological validity refers to how well findings generalize to real-life situations, while being too reductionistic denotes an oversimplification of complex behaviors to mere biological factors, potentially neglecting socio-cultural influences. The concern over outdated technology pertains to the advancement of neural imaging techniques that could influence interpretations, but this does not negate the innovative