Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026

Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills
Published on: April 23, 2014
Exploring the reliability and validity of the social-moral awareness test
Alexandra Livesey1, Karen Dodd, Helen Pote
1Department of Clinical Psychology, Royal Holloway College, University of London, London, UK. a_lives@hotmail.com
Background:
The aim of the study was to explore the validity of the social-moral awareness test (SMAT) a measure designed for assessing socio-moral rule knowledge and reasoning in people with learning disabilities. Comparisons between Theory of Mind and socio-moral reasoning allowed the exploration of construct validity of the tool. Factor structure, reliability and discriminant validity were also assessed.
Materials And Methods:
Seventy-one participants with mild-moderate learning disabilities completed the two scales of the SMAT and two False Belief Tasks for Theory of Mind.
Results:
Reliability of the SMAT was very good, and the scales were shown to be uni-dimensional in factor structure. There was a significant positive relationship between Theory of Mind and both SMAT scales.
Conclusions:
There is early evidence of the construct validity and reliability of the SMAT. Further assessment of the validity of the SMAT will be required.
Related Concept Videos
Reliability and Validity
Self-Awareness and Its Effects
Self-Report Tests of Personality
Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
Scientific Nature of Social Psychology
Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes