Estimating, testing, and comparing specific effects in structural equation models: the phantom model approach

The phantom model approach for estimating, testing, and comparing specific effects within structural equation models (SEMs) is presented. The rationale underlying this novel method consists in representing the specific effect to be assessed as a total effect within a separate latent variable model, the phantom model that is added to the main model. The following favorable features characterize the method: (a) It enables the estimation, testing, and comparison of arbitrary specific effects for recursive and nonrecursive models with latent and manifest variables; (b) it enables the bootstrapping of confidence intervals; and (c) it can be applied with all standard SEM programs permitting latent variables, the specification of equality constraints, and the bootstrapping of total effects. These features along with the fact that no manipulation of matrices and formulas is required make the approach particularly suitable for applied researchers. The method is illustrated by means of 3 examples with real data sets.     

A statistical approach to sensorimotor strategies: conjugate cross-correlations

A simple method, based on cross-correlation functions (CCFs) between two time series of kinematic or physiological measurements, is proposed for the analysis of multisegmental movements. Special emphasis is placed on measuring accelerations. When the movements of two body segments are coordinated but consistently time lagged, their CCF displays a peak at the corresponding time abscissa. The reproducible positions of the peaks reflect biomechanical or physiological constraints. Several significantly large peaks can be observed in a CCF. It is possible to identify coordinated movements involving more than two segments by applying simple rules of compatibility between the time lags and between the signs of the correlation peaks. With the method proposed, it is possible to determine the signs of relative variation and the time lags of the successive statistically correlated segmental movements. This is particularly useful in the case of both continuous and periodic sensorimotor control, where classical poststimulus methods cannot be applied. Unlike the classical poststimulus methods, this method does not require a time origin, and it is not necessary to monitor the muscles or even to specify exactly which ones are involved. The method is also applicable to experiments involving a time origin (e.g., and applied perturbation), although in this case it is less accurate than the averaging technique. Individual postural strategies can be identified, which suggests some interesting potential applications of the method to clinical studies.     

一种基于进化算法的概化理论最佳样本量估计新方法：兼与三种传统方法比较

概化理论在心理与教育测量领域应用较广。如何使测量程序在预算限制的情况下达到较优的可靠性是研究者需要考虑的重要问题, 这个问题可以转换为最佳样本量估计的问题。提出了一种基于进化算法的估计概化理论下最佳样本量的新方法——约束进化算法, 并采用模拟研究的方法比较了微分优化法、拉格朗日法、柯西不等式法等三种传统方法与约束进化算法的优劣。结果表明：在两侧面交叉设计、两侧面嵌套设计和三侧面交叉设计中都证明了约束进化算法更具优越性, 建议研究者在今后的研究中优先使用。     

基于外域范例可拓推理的研究

基于范例推理(CBR)是人类常用的一种解决问题方式,也是人工智能的一种研究范式,在许多领域都得到了应用。但CBR也可能受到心理定势和负迁移的影响,对于创造性思维有一定的负面作用。研究对CBR进行了改进,提出了在外域搜索范例并作可拓变换的方法,称为基于外域范例的可拓推理,并将它运用到产品创新构思系统的设计中,为把认知心理学应用到国家经济建设中提供了新思路。     

循环系统的数学模型及仿真实验

循环系统建立数学模型与计算机仿真是一种新型研究方法。它将有关循环系统的生理和物理学知识整合起来 ,构成数学模型 ,然后进行计算机仿真研究。这种方法已应用于研究循环系统的生理及病理机制、疾病治疗手段和超常环境下循环障碍及其防护措施     

A general method for computing hierarchical component structures by Goldberg’s Bass-Ackwards method

Goldberg [Goldberg, L. R.(in press) Doing it all Bass-Ackwards: The development of hierarchical factor structures from the top down. Journal of Research in Personality] has recently described a novel method for computing hierarchical component structures via a “top down” design. He calls his method the “Bass Ackwards” approach to distinguish it from more common “bottom up” methods for obtaining hierarchical solutions. Using simple matrix equations, in this commentary I demonstrate that the end result of a Bass Ackwards analysis—that is, the correlations between component scores from different levels of a hierarchy—can be calculated without calculating the actual component scores. By avoiding component-score calculation, Goldberg’s method (a) can be applied to any data set in which a correlation matrix is available, and (b) can be applied to factor scores rather than estimated factor scores. Goldberg suggests that the Bass Ackwards method represents a useful tool for elucidating the underlying dimensionality and latent structure (rotation in hyperspace) of a data set. Computer code is reported in the Appendix A of this article to help personality researchers more fully evaluate this claim in empirical and simulated data.     

概化理论方差分量估计的跨分布分析

方差分量估计是进行概化理论分析的关键。采用MonteCarlo模拟技术,探讨心理与教育测量数据分布对概化理论各种方法估计方差分量的影响。数据分布包括正态、二项和多项分布,估计方法包括Traditional、Jackknife、Bootstrap和MCMC方法。结果表明:(1)Traditional方法估计正态分布和多项分布数据的方差分量相对较好,估计二项分布数据需要校正,Jackknife方法准确地估计了三种分布数据的方差分量,校正的Bootstrap方法和有先验信息的MCMC方法(MCMCinf)估计三种分布数据的方差分量结果较好;(2)心理与教育测量数据分布对四种方法估计概化理论方差分量有影响,数据分布制约着各种方差分量估计方法性能的发挥,需要加以区分地使用。     

Computational aspects of the greatest lower bound to the reliability and constrained minimum trace factor analysis

In the last decade several algorithms for computing the greatest lower bound to reliability or the constrained minimum-trace communality solution in factor analysis have been developed. In this paper convergence properties of these methods are examined. Instead of using Lagrange multipliers a new theorem is applied that gives a sufficient condition for a symmetric matrix to be Gramian. Whereas computational pitfalls for two methods suggested by Woodhouse and Jackson can be constructed it is shown that a slightly modified version of one method suggested by Bentler and Woodward can safely be applied to any set of data. A uniqueness proof for the solution desired is offered.The authors are obliged to Charles Lewis and Dirk Knol for helpful comments, and to Frank Brokken and Henk Camstra for developing computer programs.     

Maximum likelihood estimation and factor analysis

Fisher's method of maximum likelihood is applied to the problem of estimation in factor analysis, as initiated by Lawley, and found to lead to a generalization of the Eckart matrix approximation problem. The solution of this in a special case is applied to show how test fallability enters into factor determination, it being noted that the method of communalities underestimates the number of factors.Dr. George Brown of Princeton University has independently made the same suggestion in some unpublished work.     

Conditioned suppression as a psychophysical technique for the cat

A modified conditioned suppression paradigm coupled with a new training apparatus has been applied to gathering sensory data in the cat. The method excels in that training, data collection, and reliability are quickly achieved and it can be used with subtle stimulus changes.     

Evaluating effects in short time series: alternative models of analysis

In the applied context, short time-series designs are suitable to evaluate a treatment effect. These designs present serious problems given autocorrelation among data and the small number of observations involved. This paper describes analytic procedures that have been applied to data from short time series, and an alternative which is a new version of the generalized least squares method to simplify estimation of the error covariance matrix. Using the results of a simulation study and assuming a stationary first-order autoregressive model, it is proposed that the original observations and the design matrix be transformed by means of the square root or Cholesky factor of the inverse of the covariance matrix. This provides a solution to the problem of estimating the parameters of the error covariance matrix. Finally, the results of the simulation study obtained using the proposed generalized least squares method are compared with those obtained by the ordinary least squares approach. The probability of Type I error associated with the proposed method is close to the nominal value for all values of rho1 and n investigated, especially for positive values of rho1. The proposed generalized least squares method corrects the effect of autocorrelation on the test's power.     

Balancing fit and parsimony to improve Q-matrix validation

The Q-matrix identifies the subset of attributes measured by each item in the cognitive diagnosis modelling framework. Usually constructed by domain experts, the Q-matrix might contain some misspecifications, disrupting classification accuracy. Empirical Q-matrix validation methods such as the general discrimination index (GDI) and Wald have shown promising results in addressing this problem. However, a cut-off point is used in both methods, which might be suboptimal. To address this limitation, the Hull method is proposed and evaluated in the present study. This method aims to find the optimal balance between fit and parsimony, and it is flexible enough to be used either with a measure of item discrimination (the proportion of variance accounted for, PVAF) or a coefficient of determination (pseudo-R²). Results from a simulation study showed that the Hull method consistently showed the best performance and shortest computation time, especially when used with the PVAF. The Wald method also performed very well overall, while the GDI method obtained poor results when the number of attributes was high. The absence of a cut-off point provides greater flexibility to the Hull method, and it places it as a comprehensive solution to the Q-matrix specification problem in applied settings. This proposal is illustrated using real data.     

Students’ achievement motivation in Finnish and Chinese higher education and its relation to perceived teaching-learning environments

This cross-cultural study of Finnish and Chinese students set out to compare the levels of achievement motivation (AM) in order to investigate whether the differences in them might be explained by the different cultural response styles and whether these response styles could be controlled for with a method which includes response style variables as covariates in ANCOVA. This study also scrutinizes relationships between perceived teaching-learning environments (TLE) and AM within each cultural group. The survey sample consisted of 3,035 Finnish and 2,309 mainland Chinese university students. Finnish students were found to rate the level of AM markedly higher than do Chinese students. It was determined that the method applied for response style controlling is not suitable for cross-cultural studies, even though it is recommended for this use. A modification of the method, which is based on robust statistical tools, was found not to change this conclusion, but it can nevertheless be used to obtain useful information about the effects of response style differences. The results also show that similar relationships between AM and TLE could be identified in the data of both groups. However, for the Finnish group AM is related to perceived suitable workload, whereas for the Chinese group it is related to teacher encouragement.     

计算机化分类测验终止规则的类别、特点及应用

计算机化分类测验(Computerized Classification Testing, CCT)能够高效地对被试进行分类, 已广泛应用于合格性测验及临床心理学中。作为CCT的重要组成部分, 终止规则决定测验何时停止以及将被试最终划分到何种类别, 因此直接影响测验效率及分类准确率。已有的三大类终止规则(似然比规则、贝叶斯决策理论规则及置信区间规则)的核心思想分别为构造假设检验、设计损失函数和比较置信区间相对位置。同时, 在不同测验情境下, CCT的终止规则发展出不同的具体形式。未来研究可以继续开发贝叶斯规则、考虑多维多类别情境以及结合作答时间和机器学习算法。针对测验实际需求, 三类终止规则在合格性测验上均有应用潜力, 而临床问卷则倾向应用贝叶斯规则。     

The evaluation of multiple and partial correlation coefficients from the factorial matrix

This paper shows how to compute multiple correlation coefficients, partial correlation coefficients, and regression coefficients from the factorial matrix. Special emphasis is given to computation technique and to approximation formulas. The method is extremely flexible in application since it may be applied to any subset of the original set of observed variables. It is also extremely useful when many of these coefficients are desired.     

Homo moralis strikes back

Restorative justice presents a morally relevant method for alternative conflict resolution. However, this potential is not always applied fully. Instead, the practice may be used in ways foreign to it. This claim comes to the fore in the practice of restorative justice in domestic violence cases. Despite the persistent feminist critique of it the practice is widely offered. This suggests that the practice can cater to needs not originally depicted in the rationale of it. This paper works out of a wittgensteinian approach and argues that there is a confusing language use going on around mediation. The argument is based on an analysis of public talk of mediation in Finland which shows that it is predominantly conducted in the light of homo economicus. This is problematic. The paper suggests that instead of referring to mediation in terms of homo economicus, the value of it should be counted in terms of homo moralis. This is what restorative justice originally intended to do. The paper establishes a new perspective on the critique of restorative justice in general and offers a fruitful way forward.     

A method of score conversion through item statistics

A method is presented for converting the scores on one form of a test to those on another form of the same test. The method is particularly applicable to the case where each form has been administered to a different group and the only link between the two forms is a subset of items common to both. The proposed method, called theitem method of conversion, has been applied to several tests for which other methods of conversion are available for comparison. The necessary data are limited to tests for which the total score is the criterion for item analyses. The method gives highly satisfactory results for all the tests to which it has been applied, particularly when the two groups are rather different, in which case the delta method (a different item method) is inappropriate.The authors are only two of a group, including W. H. Angoff, F. M. Lord, and M. K. Schultz, all of whom have made important contributions to this paper.     

Studying suicide with psychological autopsy: social and cultural feasibilities of the methodology in China

As China opens its door to the world, suicide research is making rapid progress using methods and instruments developed in the West. This is a feasibility study of the psychological autopsy methodology applied in China, with its emphasis on the social and cultural environments. With samples of 66 completed suicides and 66 community normal living controls, the authors found that it is feasible to interview at least two informants for each suicide case and each control, between 2 and 6 months after the suicide. With the Chinese-cultivated contacting method of recruiting cases, the refusal rate is nearly zero. The Western-developed methodology per se proved to be valid in the Chinese culture. Ethical considerations in the context of Chinese culture are as important as in the West. Psychological autopsy technique is shown to be an equally applicable method for the study of completed suicides in Chinese culture as it is in the West. Future epidemiological research on Chinese suicide should use the psychological autopsy method to collect data from larger samples in order to increase our understanding of the risk factors for Chinese suicides.     

Application of the new method for the Rescorla-Wagner model to a probabilistic learning situation

The author recently showed that it is not always necessary to perform simulations to derive predictions from the Rescorla-Wagner model, and presented an alternative method. In this article, the method is applied to an influential experimental paradigm: base-rate neglect.