Concurrent Validity for an Activity Vector Analysis Index of Anxiety

Abstract

This study determined the concurrent validity between the Activity Vector Analysis (AVA) index of anxiety (AVA pattern shape PS 5519, Vector 4 divided by Vector 3) and scores on the IPAT Anxiety Scale. Utilizing 182 subjects including 59 Brown University undergraduates, 74 suicide prevention volunteers, 34 emergency medical technicians, and 15 Rhode Island College students, results suggest that strong concurrent validity exists between the AVA anxiety index and the IPAT Anxiety Scale. In the four groups tested, the correlation between the AVA measure of anxiety and the IPAT ranged from .39 to .56. The IPAT and the AVA index of anxiety seem essentially to measure the same construct of basic anxiety.

The effects of need for cognition and trait anxiety on price acceptability

“…The measure of trait anxiety employed in the present study was the self-analysis form of the IPAT Anxiety Scale. The IPAT Anxiety Scale has been used extensively in academic and clinical settings since it was published in 1957 and gives an accurate appraisal of basic anxiety (Plante, 1982). The scale provides a means for getting information about trait anxiety in an objective and standardized manner.…”

“…The construct validity of the IPAT has been assessed with the use of three independent methods. The evidence from a number of factor-analytic investigations, from studies of clinically assessed anxiety, and from other questionnaire measures of anxiety demonstrate that the validity coefficient of IPAT approaches 0.90 (Plante, 1982). Further evidence for the construct validity of the IPAT comes from research that indicates that its measure of anxiety significantly correlates with objective measures of basic anxiety such as coronary heart disease and drug-induced anxiety states (Segers, Graulich, & Mertens, 1974).…”

Construct validity for the Activity Vector Analysis utilizing the sixteen personality factors questionnaire

“…Various combinations and comparisons of the four vectors provide information on further constructs of personality. For example, a high V4 (dependence) score in combination with a low V3 (tranquility) score results in an AVA index of anxiety (Hasler, 1978;Merenda & Berger, 1978;Plante, 1982). Meaningful AVA profiles, however, are interpreted through the integration of the four basic vectors.…”

“…The Activity Vector Analysis (AVA; Clarke, 1956; Walter V. Clarke Associates, 1973) is a well-documented technique for the assessment of personality. Construct validity and reliability appear strong (Clarke, 1956;Merenda & Berger, 1978;Merenda & Clarke, 1960;Musiker & Lundin, 1969;Plante, 1982;Plante & Goldfarb, in press;Walter V. Clarke Associates, 1973). Since its conception in 1956, the AVA has been utilized primarily in industrial and business settings for the usual purpose of personnel selection.…”