Invariance and Scientific Representation

This paper argues for an invariantist view of scientific representation. First, it introduces the deflationary view that sees models in science as no different in essence from symbolic vehicles, which are derivative and adopted pragmatically, as a matter of convention. After analyzing this deflationary view and pointing out its shortcomings, it argues that representations play at least two radically different roles: one purely symbolic and therefore conventional, and the other epistemic. Finally, it argues that although it is correct to say that all particular external vehicles are introduced via some conventions, they get their jobs done because they are invariant with respect to particular conventions.     

心理测量平衡性研究与实例

心理测量研究中,测量不变性(或称平衡性)是量表稳定性问题中的一个难题而且在比较研究中受到特别重视。结构方程模型因在平衡性形式捕捉方面功能强大而受到广泛应用。该研究讨论了测量平衡性的各种形式并演示了应用结构方程模型评估测量平衡性的过程。     

Dimensions of Identity Development Scale (DIDS): A test of longitudinal measurement invariance in Greek adolescents

Identity is one core developmental task of adolescence. Although Marcia’s model, comprising of the dimensions of exploration and commitment, has dominated identity research for decades new models have recently been proposed. Luyckx and colleagues’ model poses that identity is a process consisting of five aspects: Exploration in Breadth, Commitment Making, Ruminative Exploration, Exploration in Depth and Identification with Commitments. The Dimensions of Identity Development Scale (DIDS) is a 25-item instrument developed to assess those five aspects. The goal of this study is: (a) to test the applicability of DIDS in a sample of Greek adolescents, and (b) to investigate the longitudinal measurement invariance of the scale. The results support the use of DIDS in Greek context and show that strong measurement invariance holds longitudinally in the course of 12 months. Echoing recent studies, the six-factor model showed significantly better fit, with Exploration in Depth splitting to Exploration in Depth and Reconsideration of Commitment. The scale is suitable for studies of longitudinal change in identity development.     

等级数据的测量不变性检验及影响因素模拟研究

研究介绍了针对等级数据的模型建构（LRV,潜在反应变量模型）和参数估计（WLSMV）方法,以及在此基础上的测量不变性检验（DIFFTEST）方法,同时采用蒙特卡洛模拟研究方法,考察样本总量大小、组间样本量对比情况、阈值差异程度、量表长度等因素,对DIFTEST进行针对等级数据的测量不变性检验效果的影响情况,以及WLSMV估计方法下的参数复原情况。研究结果发现WLSMV估计方法参数的复原效果很好;DIFFTEST的一类错误概率达到可接受水平,在大样本情况下、组间样本量基本相等、阈值差异程度较大时,DIFFTEST检测力较好。在控制测量不变性遭受破坏的项目个数情况下,随着测验长度的增加,DIFFTEST的检测力下降。     

The structure of executive function in 3-year-olds

Although the structure of executive function (EF) during adulthood is characterized by both unity and diversity, recent evidence suggests that preschool EF may be best described by a single factor. The latent structure of EF was examined in 228 3-year-olds using confirmatory factor analysis. Children completed a battery of executive tasks that differed in format and response requirements and in putative working memory and inhibitory control demands. Tasks appeared to be age appropriate, with adequate sensitivity across the range of performance and without floor or ceiling effects. Tests of the relative fit of several alternative models supported a single latent EF construct. Measurement invariance testing revealed less proficient EF in children at higher sociodemographic risk relative to those at lower risk and no differences between boys and girls. At 3 years of age, when EF skills are emerging, EF appears to be a unitary, more domain-general process.     

Le comportement de « prise de parole » (voice) : validation de la version française de la mesure de Maynes et Podsakoff

Voice is an essential behaviour that can inhibit or generate processes of innovation and organisational change. To date, few measurement scales adapted to the French context and allowing to analyse this behaviour exists. This article proposes to translate the 4’factors Voice scale from Maynes and Podsakoff (2014). The translation of this scale was tested by 4 studies on different samples of 1275 French workers from various organisational backgrounds. The first studies test the reliability, internal consistency, divergent and convergent validity of the scale. Then, a gender invariance analysis tests the metric properties of the scale. The results obtained present acceptable psychometric qualities that validate the French version.     

Cross‐cultural invariance of NPI‐13: Entitlement as culturally specific,leadership and grandiosity as culturally universal

The current study explores the problem with the lack of measurement invariance for the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) by addressing two issues: conceptual heterogeneity of narcissism and methodological issues related to the binary character of data. We examine the measurement invariance of the 13‐item version of the NPI in three populations in Japan, Poland and the UK. Analyses revealed that leadership/authority and grandiose exhibitionism dimensions of the NPI were cross‐culturally invariant, while entitlement/exploitativeness was culturally specific. Therefore, we proposed NPI‐9 as indicating scalar invariance, and we examined the pattern of correlations between NPI‐9 and other variables across three countries. The results suggest that NPI‐9 is valid brief scale measuring general levels of narcissism in cross‐cultural studies, while the NPI‐13 remains suitable for research within specific countries.     

贝叶斯多组比较——渐近测量不变性

在行为科学研究领域中,检验测量工具的测量不变性是进行群体差异比较的前提。目前,多组验证性因子分析(多组CFA)方法被广泛用于检验测量不变性,但是它对跨组等值的限制过于严格,在实际应用中常常存在大量局限。贝叶斯渐近测量不变性方法基于贝叶斯思想的优良特性,放宽了传统多组CFA方法对跨组差异的严格限制,避免了传统方法的问题,具有较高的应用价值。文章详细介绍了贝叶斯渐近测量不变性方法的原理及优势,同时通过实例展示了渐近测量不变性方法在Mplus软件中的具体分析过程。     

Identification with all humanity—A test of the factorial structure and measurement invariance of the scale in five countries

Identification with all humanity measured as an individual characteristic is an important factor related to social and international relations, such as concern for global issues and human rights, prosocial attitudes, intergroup forgiveness, attitudes toward immigrants, solving global problems, reactions to hate crimes and dehumanisation. We examine the factorial structure, psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Identification with All Humanity (IWAH) scale in student samples from five countries (the United States, Poland, France, Mexico and Chile; N = 1930). Separate confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) for each country showed a second-order model of one superordinate factor with two subfactors. The cross-country validation of the scale, based on multigroup CFA, confirmed configural and metric invariance between countries for raw scores, and full metric invariance for “pure” scores. This study showed that the IWAH scale can be successfully used for cross-country research and the results from different countries can be compared and integrated.     

Measuring attachment security via the Security Scale: Latent structure,invariance across mothers and fathers and convergent validity

The Security Scale (SS) is a widely used questionnaire measuring attachment towards mother and father in school-aged children. Whilst existing evidence supports concurrent and discriminant validity of the SS, its factorial structure remains largely underexplored. The current study examined the factorial structure of the SS, explored its measurement invariance across mother and father, and evaluated its convergent validity with the Coping Strategies Questionnaire in a sample of 149 Italian children aged 8–10 years. In statistical analyses, we accounted for the ordinal nature of the data and adopted an ad hoc bootstrap procedure for the estimation of measurement invariance. Results supported the factorial validity of the SS and the structural invariance of its underlying construct across parents. Evidence for convergent validity was also found. Overall, the Italian version of the SS is a promising tool to assess attachment in school-aged children.