Final answer:
Question wording can lead to confusion, affecting the accuracy of responses and diminishing the construct validity of measures. Subtle changes in survey questions can alter responses, as shown by studies on topics like climate change.
Step-by-step explanation:
How can question wording affect the accuracy of responses and consequently the construct validity of our measures?
The correct answer is B) Confusion; diminish. Question wording can significantly influence the accuracy of survey responses. If questions are confusing or misleading, respondents may not understand what is being asked, leading to inaccurate answers. This can diminish the construct validity of the measures, as the responses may not accurately reflect the constructs that the questions are intended to measure. For instance, studies have indicated that subtle differences in wording can alter people's opinions on issues such as government spending and climate change. Furthermore, response bias and interviewer bias, which can be influenced by factors like the interviewer's gender, race, or social class, can also result in inaccuracies and misrepresentation of respondents' true opinions.