Pseudo maximum likelihood estimation and a test for misspecification in mean and covariance structure models

Using the theory of pseudo maximum likelihood estimation the asymptotic covariance matrix of maximum likelihood estimates for mean and covariance structure models is given for the case where the variables are not multivariate normal. This asymptotic covariance matrix is consistently estimated without the computation of the empirical fourth order moment matrix. Using quasi-maximum likelihood theory a Hausman misspecification test is developed. This test is sensitive to misspecification caused by errors that are correlated with the independent variables. This misspecification cannot be detected by the test statistics currently used in covariance structure analysis.For helpful comments on a previous draft of the paper we are indebted to Kenneth A. Bollen, Ulrich L. Küsters, Michael E. Sobel and the anonymous reviewers of Psychometrika. For partial research support, the first author wishes to thank the Department of Sociology at the University of Arizona, where he was a visiting professor during the fall semester 1987.     

E-Teaching-Panacea or Crisis?

Human beings need communication. During the development of mankind, a multitude of communication technologies have been invented and used. Some of them had a dramatic impact on society in general and on the way scientific knowledge was disseminated. In this article we discuss some of the effects of each of these changes to teaching as a way of disseminating scientific knowledge. We discuss some of the potential effects caused by the new revolution of communication due to the World Wide Web and the potential of ubiquitous computing. We discuss the evolution of communication technology followed by a discussion of the achievements of each technology. Next, the effects of these achievements on teaching are discussed. Finally, we set these considerations into a broader context and discuss the effects on two important parameters: lead time of the teacher and verifiability of the teacher's claims.     

Krankheitsbewältigung und Psychotherapie bei körperlichen und chronischen Erkrankungen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Consumer Wisdom: A Theoretical Framework of Five Integrated Facets

We establish a parsimonious theoretical framework of consumer wisdom based on five mutually reinforcing psychological facets. Our research draws from wisdom literature and a set of 31 phenomenological interviews with informants who were identified through a multi‐stage nomination process. The five facets of consumer wisdom that emerged are Intentionality, Contemplation, Emotional Mastery, Openness, and Transcendence. Together, they comprise a data‐grounded, aspirational model of consumer wisdom—for researchers as well as consumers—to understand, maintain, and improve personal and collective well‐being. We discuss the implications of the framework and directions for future research.