Acceptance of bogus personality interpretations: Face validity reconsidered

✍ Scribed by Donald E. Jackson; Jerry W. O'Dell; Deborah Olson

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1982
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 441 KB
• Volume: 38
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0021-9762
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-4679(198207)38:3<588::aid-jclp2270380319>3.0.co;2-i

✦ Synopsis

One-hundred and fifty-three students took one of four tests differing in face validity. They subsequently received computer-generated feedback of a traditional bogus interpretation (Barnum) or a jargon-filled ne atively-toned inte retation (Prosecuting Attorney). Each S rated the feedbacf for accuracy andzkability. Face validity was inde endent of both accuracy and likabilit scores regardless of ty e of feedbacf. Barnum feedback was judged botE more accurate and likatle than w&s Prosecuting Attorney feedback. Females had higher accuracy scores than did males. Accuracy and likability scores were significantly correlated. These results confirm Del rato's (1975) findings relative to face validity and Barnum feedback. That t ! m finding extends to Prosecuting Attorney feedback refutes the notion that Delprato's results were due to the high base rate of the Barnum statements.