Bayesian SEM for Specification Search Problems in Testing Factorial Invariance

Specification search problems refer to two important but under-addressed issues in testing for factorial invariance: how to select proper reference indicators and how to locate specific non-invariant parameters. In this study, we propose a two-step procedure to solve these issues. Step 1 is to identify a proper reference indicator using the Bayesian structural equation modeling approach. An item is selected if it is associated with the highest likelihood to be invariant across groups. Step 2 is to locate specific non-invariant parameters, given that a proper reference indicator has already been selected in Step 1. A series of simulation analyses show that the proposed method performs well under a variety of data conditions, and optimal performance is observed under conditions of large magnitude of non-invariance, low proportion of non-invariance, and large sample sizes. We also provide an empirical example to demonstrate the specific procedures to implement the proposed method in applied research. The importance and influences are discussed regarding the choices of informative priors with zero mean and small variances. Extensions and limitations are also pointed out.     

A defense of intuitions

Radical experimentalists argue that we should give up using intuitions as evidence in philosophy. In this paper, I first argue that the studies presented by the radical experimentalists in fact suggest that some intuitions are reliable. I next consider and reject a different way of handling the radical experimentalists’ challenge, what I call the Argument from Robust Intuitions. I then propose a way of understanding why some intuitions can be unreliable and how intuitions can conflict, and I argue that on this understanding, both moderate experimentalism and the standard philosophical practice of using intuitions as evidence can help resolve these conflicts.

On the generality of the contingent orienting hypothesis

The contingent-orienting hypothesis states that attentional capture by a task-irrelevant stimulus is contingent on whether that stimulus shares a feature property that is critical to the task at hand [Folk, C. L., Remington, R. W., & Johnston, J. C. (1992). Involuntary covert orienting is contingent on attentional control settings. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 18, 1030-1044]. Studies supporting this hypothesis have mostly used set size four displays throughout the experiment and thus constrict its ecological validity, since conclusions drawn from experiments using fixed set-size displays may not be generalized to other conditions with different set sizes. We used a spatial cueing paradigm in which a non-informative onset or color cue preceded an onset or a color target, and manipulated set size as a within- or between-subject factor. In four experiments, the original finding of Folk et al. (1992) was replicated only when a fixed set size (four) was used throughout. When both set-size four and eight were used in an experiment, stimulus-driven capture by onset in search of a color target was found even for set-size four displays. These results raise doubts as to the generality of the contingent-orienting hypothesis and help to delineate the boundary conditions on this hypothesis.     

Development and initial validation of public domain Basic Interest Markers

Goldberg (Goldberg, L. R. (1999). A broad-bandwidth, public-domain, personality inventory measuring the lower-level facets of several five-factor models. In: I. Mervielde, I. Deary, F. De Fruyt, & F. Ostendorf (Eds.), Personality psychology in Europe (Vol. 7, pp. 7-28). Tilburg, The Netherlands: Tilburg University Press) has argued that the commercialization of personality measures limits the range of questions investigated in empirical research. We propose that the commercialization of interest measures has had a similar effect on research in vocational psychology. Following Goldberg’s example of developing public-domain personality markers, we also propose that the development of public-domain interest markers would facilitate new directions in career-related research. The present study outlines the development and validation of a set of public-domain Basic Interest Markers (BIMs) that are freely available on a website. Using Day and Rounds’ (Day, Susan. X, & Rounds, J. (1997). A little more than kin, and less than kind: Basic interests in vocational research and career counseling. Career Development Quarterly, 45, 207-220) basic interest taxonomy, 343 items and 31 BIM scales were generated. Validity evidence is presented from correlations with the General Occupational Themes and Basic Interest Scales of the Strong Interest Inventory (Harmon, L. W., Hansen, J. C., Borgen, F. H., & Hammer, A. L. (1994). Strong Interest Inventory applications and technical guide. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press). Discriminant validity is demonstrated by the capacity for the BIMs to differentiate major field of education or training. Implications for research and use in applied settings are discussed.     

高校师德状况调查表的研究

本研究旨在编制一个能够反映我国目前高校教师师德状况的调查表.通过对国内外文献的研究及与专家讨论形成了师德调查表的维度和初始题目.有3所高校的207名教师被抽取,成为预测被试.据此结果保留了48道题.有8个地区10所高校的1092名教师成为再次施测的被试.用该样本数据,确立了调查表的区分度、信度和效度.结果表明,高校师德状况调查表的各项指标皆符合测量学要求,可以作为一个测评工具使用.     

论元代道教戏剧对道教乐生思想的图解

对生命价值的充分肯定和对长生成仙的热烈追求是道教最具特色的教义.元代道教戏剧以独特的视角和艺术的手法对道教乐生思想进行了全方位地形象图解.面对成仙诱惑,凡人的怀疑、拒绝与诘问,正是因为对生的热切渴望对生命的价值强烈认同感使然.情欲乃是人之常情,道教贵生,当然包括对生命基本需求的尊重,对世俗情欲的眷恋与渴望是元代道教戏剧对道教乐生思想的又一诠释.元代道教戏剧着力展现体道之人对山水的乐好,而其乐山好水的审美情趣又与澄心遣欲的宗教追求和隐逸归真的宗教旨意一脉相承.本文以全新的角度阐释元代道教戏剧中体现出的道教乐生思想,以期在加深对道教生命意识的认识的同时,彰显元代道教戏剧独特的艺术价值.     

Treadmill exercise enhances passive avoidance learning in rats: the role of down-regulated serotonin system in the limbic system

While serotonin (5-HT) may impair learning and memory, exercise has been reported to improve them. Whether chronic exercise can facilitate fear memory via regulating the serotonin system is unknown. We examined the effects of 4-week treadmill exercise training on levels of 5-HT and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), the protein expression of its receptor 5-HT_1A and transporter in the amygdala, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of male Sprague–Dawley rats. Our results demonstrated that treadmill exercise (1) improved the passive avoidance learning performance; (2) decreased the 5-HT level in the hippocampus; (3) decreased the expression of 5-HT_1A receptor in the amygdala without altering the transporter expression. Moreover, pretreatment with 0.1 mg/kg 8-hydroxy-di-n-propylamino tetralin, a selective 5-HT_1A receptor agonist, impaired the passive avoidance performance and completely abolished the exercise-enhanced fear memory. Our results suggest that down-regulation of the 5-HT system in the limbic system, i.e., the reduction of the hippocampus 5-HT content and the amygdala 5-HT_1A receptor expression, may be involved in the exercise-enhanced fear memory.     

风水问题资料(四)

二十四、吕坤论《葬书》应该烧掉——吕坤《四礼疑》按:吕坤,明代著名思想家。他说的同一墓地的后人命运不同,值得那些信风水的人深思。今译:物有适宜一县而不适宜一省,适宜一村而不适宜一乡的。紧邻的土地有好的也有坏的,紧挨着的泉水有苦的也有甜的。对吗?对。难道葬地就不是     

智商对物理问题解决表征体系动态特征的影响

基于对物理问题解决表征体系特征的研究,本文用口语报告法,对不同智商水平的被试在解决物理问题过程中表征体系的动态差异进行了实证性研究。结果证明,智商水平对物理问题解决表征体系动态特征的影响显著。