Final answer:
The conceptual definition of 'fear of falling' is a person’s apprehensive belief about the possibility of falling. The operational definition is the quantification of this fear using a Visual Analogue Scale for Fear of Falling Scale score. It’s important to distinguish conceptual definitions from operational definitions as these terms relate to reliability and validity in psychological research.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing the conceptual definition of the variable fear of falling, it pertains to the notion or idea behind a variable. In the given options, the correct conceptual definition for the variable fear of falling would be option C: A person's apprehensive belief that he/she might fall. This option describes the abstract concept of the fear without tying it to any specific measurement or observable entity.
An operational definition, on the other hand, specifies how the concept is measured or observed in a practical context. Among the options provided, the correct operational definition for the variable fear of falling is A: Visual Analogue Scale for Fear of Falling Scale (VAS-FOF) score. This refers to a specific method of quantifying the level of fear a person has about falling using a standardized scale.
In psychological research, reliability and validity are crucial for assessing the quality of scales used in testing. Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure, while validity pertains to whether the test actually measures what it is supposed to measure.