Overarching Principles for the Organization of Socioemotional Constructs

Psychological scientists have intensively studied how people handle emotions and navigate social situations for more than a century. However, advancements in our understanding of socioemotional constructs have been hampered because of challenges in assessment. Several measurement problems have been identified; however, we want to bring attention to a potentially larger problem. Many operationalizations and measures of socioemotional constructs are poorly embedded within the larger body of psychological research, hampered by jingle and jangle fallacies. Jingle fallacies occur when assessment tools are assumed to measure the same construct but in practice measure different constructs. Jangle fallacies occur when assessment tools are assumed to measure different constructs but in practice measure the same construct. Both fallacies are primarily due to a qualitative divide between a construct’s definition and how it was measured. We discuss this issue, identify examples of jingle and jangle fallacies, and conclude with recommendations.