Which finding would suggest that the empathy questionnaire lacks validity?

• A. A positive correlation with the perspective taking skills questionnaire
• B. A negative correlation with the personal distress questionnaire
• C. A positive correlation with the fantasy perspective taking skills questionnaire
• D. No correlation with money won in competition trials

Answer: (B)

The finding that indicates the empathy questionnaire lacks validity is represented by the absence of a correlation between the empathy measure and money won in competition trials. This would suggest that the questionnaire may not be measuring empathy effectively. If empathy is indeed a trait that influences social interactions and behaviors, one might expect that it would relate to outcomes in competitive scenarios, as empathy can affect collaboration, negotiation, and overall social dynamics.

A lack of correlation with a relevant outcome—such as money won in a competitive situation—raises doubts about the construct validity of the empathy questionnaire. It implies that the questionnaire is not adequately capturing the essence of empathy, which should intuitively influence social behavior in competitive contexts.

In contrast, the other findings either show expected relationships that support the validity of empathy measures or, in the case of a negative correlation with the personal distress questionnaire, suggest an interesting dynamic but do not fundamentally challenge the construct of empathy itself. Thus, highlighting a lack of correlation with a relevant behavior provides strong evidence against the validity of the empathy questionnaire.