Construct validity of a competitive reaction-time aggression paradigm

TLDR

The study examined the construct validity of a competitive reaction‑time aggression paradigm. Seventy‑nine male participants completed aggression questionnaires and then engaged in a reaction‑time task involving shock delivery to a fictitious opponent. Shock intensity correlated strongly with overt aggression traits, supporting the paradigm’s construct validity, while unrelated traits showed no association. © 1995 Wiley‑Liss, Inc.

Abstract

This study tested the construct validity (convergent and discriminant) of a competitive reaction-time aggression paradigm. Seventy-nine males completed three trait aggression questionnaires and then competed on a reaction-time task whereby they received and delivered shocks to a fictitious opponent. Results demonstrated strong positive relationships between shock intensity administered and the trait measures of overt aggression but not with the measures unrelated to overt aggression. Results are discussed with regard to their contribution to the construct validity of the aggression paradigm used in this study. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.