Influence analysis of structural equation models with polytomous variables

The estimation of model parameters in structural equation models with polytomous variables can be handled by several computationally efficient procedures. However, sensitivity or influence analysis of the model is not well studied. We demonstrate that the existing influence analysis methods for contingency tables or for normal theory structural equation models cannot be applied directly to structural equation models with polytomous variables; and we develop appropriate procedures based on the local influence approach of Cook (1986). The proposed procedures are computationally efficient, the necessary bits of the proposed diagnostic measures are readily available following an usual fit of the model. We consider the influence of an individual cell frequency with respect to three cases: when all parameters in an unstructured model are of interest, when the unstructured polychoric correlations are of interest, and when the structural parameters are of interest. We also consider the sensitivity of the parameters estimates. Two examples based on real data are presented for illustration.The work described in this paper was partially supported by a Chinese University of Hong Kong Postdoctoral Fellows Scheme and a grant from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (RGC Ref. No. CUHK4186/98P). We are indebted to P.M. Bentler and M.D. Newcomb for providing the data set, Michael Leung for his assistance, and the Editor and the referees for some very valuable comments.     

Trait compassion is associated with the neural substrate of empathy

Individual differences in the personality trait Agreeableness underlie humans’ ability to interpret social cues and coordinate effectively with others. However, previous investigations of the neural basis of Agreeableness have yielded largely inconsistent results. Recent evidence has demonstrated that Agreeableness can be divided into two, correlated subdimensions. Compassion reflects tendencies toward empathy, sympathy, and concern for others, while Politeness reflects tendencies toward compliance and refraining from aggression and exploitation. The present study seeks to clarify the neural substrates of Agreeableness by examining whether structural differences in the brain show distinct associations with Compassion and Politeness. Results of a meta-analysis of fMRI studies examining empathy were used to generate hypotheses about the brain regions and networks that underlie trait Compassion. Results of a large-scale structural neuroimaging investigation (N = 275) were largely consistent with the meta-analysis: Compassion was positively correlated with gray matter volume in the bilateral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and anterior insula (AI). Further, these differences appear to be associated with Compassion specifically, as opposed to Politeness, suggesting that these two traits have at least partially distinct neuroanatomical substrates.     

中西文化互释与世界根源性精神

东西方文明冲突与文化融合,既不是争夺话语权及同化的问题,也不是消融各自的特色,而是基于和谐在文化差异中分享与互尊。惟有正视这一点,中华文明的精神价值和思想资源才可能通过与西方经典的相互诠释来与西方文明沟通与交流,并追寻到当今世界根源性精神;进而发现一个为人类理性所能认同的共同的真理与价值标准。恰恰是通过对中西文化元典的比较研究,我们发现不同文化的冲突不可怕;它是进化的一个条件,但是你必须共同融合才能产生新的文明。     

大道和韵 中华同乐——第九届道教音乐汇演在武汉成功举办

初冬的武汉江城,虽稍显寒意,但到处还是绿色葱茏,一派生机。11月14日晚上,由中国道教协会和湖北省道教协会主办,香港蓬瀛仙馆、武汉长春观承办的“大道和韵,中华同乐”第九届道教音乐汇演在湖北剧院成功举办。     

家长参与与小学生学习自我效能的关系研究

参阅国外家长参与的理论研究,结合访谈结果将小学生家长参与确定为情感参与、管理引导参与、行为参与和智力参与四个维度.以4-6年级的小学生为被试,两次取样测试,编制了小学生家长参与问卷,问卷具有较好的信、效度.应用自编的小学生家长参与问卷考察了521名小学生家长参与与其学习自我效能的关系.研究表明:家长参与与小学生的学习自我效能感有显著相关;母亲的智力参与、父亲的情感参与、母亲的情感参与、父亲的智力参与和行为参与对其子女学习自我效能感有预测作用.