= Psychological construct
A <psychological construct> is a theoretically specified attribute or process used to explain <behavior> and experience. <Working memory>, for example, is not directly observed as a number on an instrument; researchers infer aspects of it from performance under stated tasks. A <psychological construct> supplies an interpretation of observations, rather than merely renaming a test score.<APA Dictionary of Psychology by the American Psychological Association>[Construct entry: explanatory theoretical concept]{ref}
Different <operational definitions> can target the same proposed attribute. Their agreement, differences and relationships to other measures inform <construct validity>. If a memory task also requires reading, a low score might reflect reading difficulty as well as the intended memory demand. Clear theory and several complementary measurements help distinguish these explanations.
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