Question

Psychologists attempt to uncover truths of human affect, behavior, and cognition, but face the challenge of dealing with hypothetical constructs. For each of the constructs below, write an operational definition that makes an otherwise unobservable construct observable.

Attachment, as in a child’s attachment to her parents.-

Social anxiety.

Expertise.

Answer 1

There can be multiple operational definitions for the following constructs, as a different purpose of a research can lead to different type of definition and explanation for the same constructs. For each of the construct that have been stated, there are two or more operational definitions provided.  

Attachment, as in a child’s attachment to her parents:

1. The level to which the child needs the presence and reassurance of their parent in daily life tasks within different social settings like home, school, neighborhood, etc.
2. The number of minutes or time the child is unable to perform daily life activities which are age appropriate without the presence and reassurance of the parents or care givers.

Social anxiety:

1. Avoidance of multiple social situations like family gatherings, parties, school or college events, etc due to the fear of being judged or scrutinized by others which may happen through verbal or non-verbal comments, or by the person’s clumsiness or behavior during the social events.
2. Inability to maintain a conversation or make enough eye contact with at least one person during a social situation like a party or event, due to the fear of sounding incoherent, clumsy or making a fool out of themselves.

Expertise:

1. The ability to respond to a given impromptu subject within a certain area of knowledge and mastery in a profoundly articulate manner, creating a comprehensible as well as a convincible piece of information.
2. The knowledge as well as awareness about a certain subject matter or related areas, to the level of elated mastery seen by quick or prompt reaction or answer to quizzes, common questions and complex definitions explained in a well-structured manner.