Construct Validity of the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire

Abstract

Chara (1989) recently questioned the construct validity of the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ) on empirical grounds. Unfortunately, Chara in that paper has erroneously construed construct validity as independent of criterion-related validity. This error is compounded by Chara and Verplanck's 1986 assumption that the VVIQ assesses purely memory imagery. Further problems arise from Chara's 1989 selective reporting of the relevant literature. Comprehensive review of the VVIQ literature in its totality is necessary before conclusions are possible concerning the questionnaire's construct validity.