Construct Validity and Conceptual Fallacies

Vocabulary practice flashcards focusing on construct definition errors, conceptual fallacies, and validity issues from the lecture notes.

Jingle Fallacy

The assumption that two constructs are the same simply because they share the same label.

Jangle Fallacy

The assumption that two constructs are different because they have different labels, even though they are quite similar.

Circular Definition

A definition where a term is defined by simply restating the idea in different words, providing no real explanatory content.

Problematic Tautology

Defining a term by using the exact same word.

Construct Fallacy

An error that reduces a construct to a test score.

Expansion Error

An error that occurs when the meaning, scope, and application of a concept, construct, diagnosis, or criterion gradually extends beyond its originally intended boundaries.

Vertical Creep

Stretching thresholds to cover broader and less severe systems, leading to a severity drift where definitions loosen and mild symptoms are included.

Horizontal Creep

Adding additional definitions and components leading to domain drift, where the scope seeps into other non-related domains.

Restriction Errors

Errors occurring when a construct is defined too narrowly, watering the definition down or restricting it vertically or horizontally.

Blurred Distinction

An effect of expansion where a construct loses its boundaries and overlaps with other similar constructs, losing its identity if there is no compatibility.