An example of an operational definition for anxiety is a:Question 46 ?Answera.personality traitb.score on an anxiety questionnairec.persons description of anxietyd.fear response
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is b. score on an anxiety questionnaire.
An operational definition refers to a clear, specific, and measurable way to define a concept, so it can be observed and quantified in a study. In the case of anxiety, an operational definition needs to translate the abstract concept of anxiety into something measurable that can be assessed objectively.
Here’s why score on an anxiety questionnaire is the correct operational definition:
- Personality trait (a) is not specific enough to be an operational definition. While anxiety can be linked to personality traits, defining it as a trait doesn’t provide a clear, measurable indicator of anxiety in a study. Anxiety might be one part of a broader trait like neuroticism, but it’s not the best operationalization of anxiety itself.
- Person’s description of anxiety (c) is subjective and qualitative. Although people’s descriptions of their anxiety can provide insight into the experience, it is not directly measurable and lacks consistency. Descriptions can vary from person to person and are prone to biases.
- Fear response (d) refers to a physiological or behavioral reaction to fear, which may overlap with anxiety but does not capture the full scope of the concept. Anxiety can exist without an immediate fear response, and its physiological markers can vary across individuals.
In contrast, score on an anxiety questionnaire (such as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale or State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) gives researchers a specific, measurable score that can be used to quantify anxiety levels. These questionnaires typically ask respondents to rate their experiences of anxiety-related symptoms over a defined period, allowing for consistent and objective measurement.
Thus, the operational definition of anxiety as a score on an anxiety questionnaire is the most suitable for empirical research because it allows for standardized and replicable assessment, which is critical in scientific studies.