Weighted least squares fitting using ordinary least squares algorithms

A general approach for fitting a model to a data matrix by weighted least squares (WLS) is studied. This approach consists of iteratively performing (steps of) existing algorithms for ordinary least squares (OLS) fitting of the same model. The approach is based on minimizing a function that majorizes the WLS loss function. The generality of the approach implies that, for every model for which an OLS fitting algorithm is available, the present approach yields a WLS fitting algorithm. In the special case where the WLS weight matrix is binary, the approach reduces to missing data imputation.This research has been made possible by a fellowship from the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences to the author.     

Finite Mixtures for Simultaneously Modeling Differential Effects and Nonnormal Distributions

Regression mixture models have been increasingly applied in the social and behavioral sciences as a method for identifying differential effects of predictors on outcomes. Although the typical specification of this approach is sensitive to violations of distributional assumptions, alternative methods for capturing the number of differential effects have been shown to be robust. Yet, there is still a need to better describe differential effects that exist when using regression mixture models. This study tests a new approach that uses sets of classes (called differential effects sets) to simultaneously model differential effects and account for nonnormal error distributions. Monte Carlo simulations are used to examine the performance of the approach. The number of classes needed to represent departures from normality is shown to be dependent on the degree of skew. The use of differential effects sets reduced bias in parameter estimates. Applied analyses demonstrated the implementation of the approach for describing differential effects of parental health problems on adolescent body mass index using differential effects sets approach. Findings support the usefulness of the approach, which overcomes the limitations of previous approaches for handling nonnormal errors.     

Area under the curve as a measure of discounting

We describe a novel approach to the measurement of discounting based on calculating the area under the empirical discounting function. This approach avoids some of the problems associated with measures based on estimates of the parameters of theoretical discounting functions. The area measure may be easily calculated for both individual and group data collected using any of a variety of current delay and probability discounting procedures. The present approach is not intended as a substitute for theoretical discounting models. It is useful, however, to have a simple, univariate measure of discounting that is not tied to any specific theoretical framework.     

Toward a new approach to the study of personality in culture

We review recent developments in the study of culture and personality measurement. Three approaches are described: an etic approach that focuses on establishing measurement equivalence in imported measures of personality, an emic (indigenous) approach that studies personality in specific cultures, and a combined emic-etic approach to personality. We propose the latter approach as a way of combining the methodological rigor of the etic approach and the cultural sensitivity of the emic approach. The combined approach is illustrated by two examples: the first with origins in Chinese culture and the second in South Africa. The article ends with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of the combined emic-etic approach for the study of culture and personality and for psychology as a science.     

Sign-tracking behavior in aversive conditioning: Its acquisition via a Pavlovian mechanism and its suppression by operant contingencies

When rats are presented with Pavlovian backward pairings in which shock is the unconditioned stimulus (US) and an elevated platform the conditioned stimulus (CS), they show a strong tendency to approach the platform. Attempts were made at evaluating the nature of the associative mechanisms responsible for the acwuisition and maintenance of the approach behavior. In Experiment 1, following a baseline period when platform presentations were given in the absence of shocks, first (training I), approach to the platform was prevented and subjects were exposed to either backward, forward, or random presentations of shock and platform: this procedure attempted to minimize the effects of response learning on the acquisition of approach behavior. Then (training II), all subjects received backward shock-platform pairings and had access to the platform. Approach to the platform was stronger in animals previously exposed to backward pairings than in the animals of the other two groups. Also, animals preexposed to forward platform-shock pairings showed suppression of approach behavior on the first trial of training II relative to their performance on the last trial of baseline. These data suggest that a stimulus-reinforcer learning mechanism alone is sufficent for the acquisition of approach. Experiments 2a and 2b evaluated the effects of “punishing” operant contingencies on Pavlovian-produced approach behavior. The results showed that approach can be eliminated, but only after repeated exposure to an operant contingency which consisted of the immediate closure of the platform upon approach responding. These data suggest that approach behavior produced by Pavlovian contingencies can be modified by operant contingencies. Taken together, these data provide additional support for a sign-tracking notion in aversive conditioning.     

Consequentialism and the World in Time

Consequentialism is a general approach to understanding the nature of morality that seems to entail a certain view of the world in time. This entailment raises specific problems for the approach. The first seems to lead to the conclusion that every actual act is right – an unacceptable result for any moral theory. The second calls into question the idea that consequentialism is an approach to morality, for it leads to the conclusion that this approach produces a theory whose truth does not depend in any way on the nature of rational beings or value.     

Relational responsibility, and not only stewardship, a Roman Catholic view on voluntary euthanasia for dying and non-dying patients.

The Roman Catholic theological approach to euthanasia is radically prohibitive. The main theological argument for this prohibition is the so-called "stewardship argument": Christians cannot escape accounting to God for stewardship of the bodies given them on earth. This contribution presents an alternative approach based on European existentialist and philosophical traditions. The suggestion is that exploring the fullness of our relational responsibility is more apt for a pluralist--and even secular--debate on the legitimacy of euthanasia.     

Approach and Avoidance Relationship Commitment

The current paper proposes that relationship commitment is a goal; and as such, is regulated by the approach and avoidance dimensions. We suggest that two types of commitment exist: approach commitment, the desire to maintain and continue the relationship, and avoidance commitment, the desire to avoid relationship dissolution. Specifically, approach commitment is associated with a desire for future relationship incentives and rewards; and avoidance commitment is a desire to avoid the negative consequences or costs of relationship dissolution. In this paper, we evaluate previous research on relationship commitment from an approach and avoidance goal theory perspective, and then present an approach and avoidance commitment model and hypotheses testable in future research.     

Extending adaptive world modeling by identifying and handling insufficient knowledge models

Adaptive knowledge modeling is an approach for extending the abilities of the Object-Oriented World Model, a system for representing the state of an observed real-world environment, to open-world modeling. In open environments, entities unforeseen at the design-time of a world model can occur. For coping with such circumstances, adaptive knowledge modeling is tasked with adapting the underlying knowledge model according to the environment. The approach is based on quantitative measures, introduced previously, for rating the quality of knowledge models. In this contribution, adaptive knowledge modeling is extended by measures for detecting the need for model adaptation and identifying the potential starting points of necessary model change as well as by an approach for applying such change. Being an extended and more detailed version of [17], the contribution also provides background information on the architecture of the Object-Oriented World Model and on the principles of adaptive knowledge modeling, as well as examination results for the proposed methods. In addition, a more complex scenario is used to evaluate the overall approach.     

Testing the group polarization hypothesis by using logit models

This paper focuses on methodological aspects of group polarization research and has two well‐defined parts. The first part presents a methodological overview of group polarization research together with an examination of the inadequacy, under certain circumstances, of the traditional parametric approach usually used to test this phenomenon based on pre‐test/post‐test means comparison across groups. It is shown that this approach will produce masks effects when groups are heterogeneous with regard to the observed change from pre‐test to post‐test. The second part suggests an alternative methodological approach based on logit models for the analysis of contingency tables from a categorization of the variable ‘kind of shift’. This approach is illustrated and compared with the parametric approach with a simulated data set. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The cultural in the social: A reflection on sociocultural models approaches

Culture is a critical concept for social psychology in Asia. The sociocultural models approach, as exemplified in this special issue, is a significant synthesis of the past work and a generative platform for future research. From the perspective of cultural dynamics, this commentary provides what I hope to be constructively critical reflections on this approach and attempts to point to potential directions for future investigation.     

Intergenerational Relationships Within the Local Congregation

ABSTRACT

The following article explores the effect of the quality of intergenerational relationships on the health, healing and wholeness of the congregation. The fundamental premise is that an intergenerational approach to congregational life is a conscious, intentional choice on the part of the leadership and membership of that congregation to honor both the contributions and the requirements of each and every generation for the good of that generation as well as the good of the whole community. A casestudy is presented to demonstrate this approach. A reflection on the casestudy focuses on three dimensions of this approach to building up intergenerational relationships, i.e., the revelation of 1 Corinthians 12, the approach of family systems theory, and the paradigm of pastoral care.     

A Computationally Efficient State Space Approach to Estimating Multilevel Regression Models and Multilevel Confirmatory Factor Models

Although the state space approach for estimating multilevel regression models has been well established for decades in the time series literature, it does not receive much attention from educational and psychological researchers. In this article, we (a) introduce the state space approach for estimating multilevel regression models and (b) extend the state space approach for estimating multilevel factor models. A brief outline of the state space formulation is provided and then state space forms for univariate and multivariate multilevel regression models, and a multilevel confirmatory factor model, are illustrated. The utility of the state space approach is demonstrated with either a simulated or real example for each multilevel model. It is concluded that the results from the state space approach are essentially identical to those from specialized multilevel regression modeling and structural equation modeling software. More importantly, the state space approach offers researchers a computationally more efficient alternative to fit multilevel regression models with a large number of Level 1 units within each Level 2 unit or a large number of observations on each subject in a longitudinal study.     

Toward a dimensional and psychometrically-informed approach to conceptualizing psychopathology

Most modern research on psychopathology is framed by the categorical model of mental disorders embodied in the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Nevertheless, the categorical model of the DSM is incompatible with robust empirical observations about psychopathological variation, such as the tendency for multiple, putatively distinct mental disorders to occur in the same persons. The goal of this invited essay is to outline a potential alternative to the DSM's categorical approach: a dimensional and psychometrically-informed approach to conceptualizing and studying psychopathology. We discuss the advantages of the dimensional approach, some modern statistical technologies that can be recruited in the service of the dimensional approach, and ways of integrating the dimensional approach with a behavioral approach to psychopathology assessment and research.     

Inferences from memory: strategy- and exemplar-based judgment models compared

What are the cognitive processes underlying people's inferences from memory? To provide an answer, the exemplar-based approach to predicting people's inferences is tested against the strategy-based approach. Exemplar models assume that people make inferences about objects by retrieving similar objects from memory. In contrast, the strategy-based approach assumes that people select cognitive strategies that make inferences based on abstracted knowledge and information the inference situation provides. In Experiment 1, in which dichotomous feedback on the level of pair-comparisons was provided, almost all participants were classified as using a simple lexicographic strategy. In Experiment 2, in which continuous feedback for single objects was provided, most participants were classified as using a compensatory strategy. Both experiments suggest that the strategy-based approach is more suitable for predicting people's inferences from memory than the exemplar-based approach. The strategy-based approach shows how people adapt to inference situations by selecting different cognitive strategies.     

Reducing implicit prejudice: Matching approach/avoidance strategies to contextual valence and regulatory focus

Two general strategies for reducing prejudice are to approach equality and to avoid prejudice. The current research investigated the importance of matching two factors, contextual valence and regulatory focus, on the efficacy of these two strategies in reducing implicit prejudice. The findings demonstrate that although an approach strategy is more effective in decreasing prejudice on the Implicit Association Test in a positive rather than a negative context, an avoidance strategy is more effective in decreasing prejudice in a negative rather than a positive context (Study 1). In addition, the results show that although an approach strategy is more effective in decreasing prejudice when a promotion rather than a prevention focus is primed, an avoidance strategy is more effective in reducing prejudice when a prevention rather than a promotion focus is primed (Study 2). The implications of these findings for current interventions aimed at decreasing implicit prejudice are discussed.     

Cognitive Assessment With Disabled Readers

This paper describes an approach to cognitive assessment that involves a synthesis of traditional psychometric approach and the more recent information-processing approaches. In this combined approach, psychometric tests are supplemented by tasks adapted from information-processing research. The paper focuses on the use of the approach with disabled readers, although the approach may be generalized to many different populations. The Test of Syllable and Phoneme Counting, a measure of awareness of the sound structure of speech, is described, as an example of an information-processing task that would be useful with younger disabled readers. Guidelines for using information-processing measures are also discussed.     

Preventive intervention with infants and families: The NBAS model

A model for preventive intervention based on the use of the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) is presented, and the conceptual framework underlying this approach is made explicit. The approach is based on the assumption that the neonatal period presents clinicians with a unique opportunity to influence parent-infant relations positively from the beginning. It is argued that especially under conditions of stress, this infant-centered but family-focused form of intervention can serve to prevent the compounding of problems that may occur when the caregiving environment is unable to adjust to the needs of the young infant. The aim of the NBAS-based approach is to sensitize parents to the communication cues and the unique adaptive capacities of their infants. It is the individualized nature of the NBAS-based approach that places it outside the domain of main-effects treatment modalities and renders it responsive to the particular needs of individual infants and their families. The model of intervention described herein is based on the development of a supportive therapeutic relationship between clinicians and parents and as such may serve as the first stage in a comprehensive follow-up program of support for infants and families. Guidelines for clinicians using the NBAS in clinical settings that follow from these assumptions are provided.     

Reflexive action research: Developing knowledge through practice

This paper gives an overview of different ways of conducting counselling and psychotherapy research. An approach to research is described which overcomes the research‐practice gap: reflexive action research. It is argued that this approach to research is particularly appropriate and relevant for practitioners since it draws upon skills and awareness necessary for clinical work, and can complement positivist methods of research which are already well established in the profession. The wider use of systematic clinical case studies is suggested as a means of promoting the reflexive action research approach. Further consideration of issues of validity and reliability is required on the part of those intending to apply this approach within the field of therapy research.     

Modifying automatic approach action tendencies in individuals with elevated social anxiety symptoms

Research suggests that social anxiety is associated with a reduced approach orientation for positive social cues. In the current study we examined the effect of experimentally manipulating automatic approach action tendencies on the social behavior of individuals with elevated social anxiety symptoms. The experimental paradigm comprised a computerized Approach Avoidance Task (AAT) in which participants responded to pictures of faces conveying positive or neutral emotional expressions by pulling a joystick toward themselves (approach) or by moving it to the right (sideways control). Participants were randomly assigned to complete an AAT designed to increase approach tendencies for positive social cues by pulling these cues toward themselves on the majority of trials, or to a control condition in which there was no contingency between the arm movement direction and picture type. Following the manipulation, participants took part in a relationship-building task with a trained confederate. Results revealed that participants trained to approach positive stimuli displayed greater social approach behaviors during the social interaction and elicited more positive reactions from their partner compared to participants in the control group. These findings suggest that modifying automatic approach tendencies may facilitate engagement in the types of social approach behaviors that are important for relationship development.