Problems of validity in questionnaire studies of nonverbal behavior: Jourard's tactile body‐accessibility scale

Abstract

An empirical test of the validity of Jourard's tacticle body‐accessibility measure was conducted. Results showed that although there was evidence that subjects were able to recall recent touching behavior, their recollections were tainted by their expectations about which touches should have occurred. Estimates of anticipated and recalled numbers of body parts contacted with significant others were consistently higher than actual contacts experienced. Problems of validity in questionnaire studies of nonverbal behavior and procedures and standards for the validation of such measures are discussed.