What is the meaning of 'validity' in psychological testing?

'Validity' in psychological testing specifically refers to the degree to which a test accurately measures what it is intended to measure. For example, if a psychological test is designed to assess intelligence, its validity would be determined by how well it captures true intelligence, rather than simply measuring unrelated skills or traits.

When a test has high validity, it indicates that the results can be trusted to reflect the specific construct being investigated, whether that be cognitive abilities, personality traits, or other psychological dimensions. This concept is essential because a test can be reliable—yielding consistent results over time—but still lack validity if it does not actually measure the intended concept accurately.

Understanding validity also encompasses different types, such as content validity, criterion-related validity, and construct validity, each specifying different aspects of how well the test measures what it claims. Therefore, the correct choice highlights the central importance of a test’s purpose and claims in the field of psychological assessment.