Axiomatic foundations of a three-set guttman simplex model with applicability to longitudinal data

In this paper the usual two-set Guttman simplex model is extended to three sets. The axiomatic foundations of this extention are presented. Two cases are discussed. In Case 1 there is a three-set joint order, while in Case 2 there is a two-set joint order consistent across all levels of the third set. Case 2 represents the first clear formulation of a longitudinal developmental scale. The model is discussed in terms of its most straightforward application, longitudinal developmental data, and in terms of other possible applications.This research was supported in part by NSF grant BNS 8108145.     

德性自我意象、道德情绪与行为自我管理：对大学生的一项交叉滞后研究

研究采用交叉时序滞后设计,以问卷法对363名大学生进行了6个月的追踪调查,考察了德性自我意象、道德情绪（内疚/羞愧）与行为自我管理之间的相互预测关系。结果表明,德性自我意象、内疚和羞愧均能显著地正向预测道德行为自我管理,德性自我意象、内疚和羞愧可能是道德行为自我管理的前因变量。     

Structure of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Revised in the Italian Normal Standardisation Sample

Six multifactor correlated traits models and a single-factor model of the WAIS-R's factor pattern were examined by confirmatory maximum likelihood factor analyses of a data matrix from the WAIS-R's Italian normative sample raw scores (N=2284). The main aim was to identify what model(s) best fit(s) the data for the different age groups considered. Analyses were designed to determine which of seven hypothesised factor solutions best explained the intellectual ability of four age bands (16 to 74 years of age) and of all samples. Results showed the same three-correlated-factors model (Verbal, Performance, and Freedom From Distractibility) for the younger (16 to 24 years of age) and for more aged (65 to 74 years of age), and two different three-factor models for the adult (band from 25 to 64 years of age) that had in common the presence of Digit Symbol loading on Freedom From Distractibility, that in the younger and aged band loaded on Perceptual Organisation. The individuals may use different strategies when performing a given task on the WAIS-R. Such differences in latent variability may represent real differences in neuropsychological functioning, and as such can account for some of the variability in results noted in the literature. Differences in latent variability across distinct demographic and clinical groups could provide important insight into brain–behaviour relationships.     

Time-series analysis of the relationship between dizziness and stress

Ten individuals with dizziness participated in a longitudinal study on the relationship between stress and dizziness. The participants rated dizziness and stress on visual analogue scales twice daily for a period of 28 days (in all 56 data points). The ratings of stress included physical stress, mental stress, emotional stress, and the presence of stressful events. The data was analysed by means of time-series analysis (ARIMA), and the temporal associations investigated by lagged correlations. Results showed concurrent associations between dizziness and mental and emotional stress. However, individual differences were observed indicating complex and diverse patterns of association between different forms of stress and dizziness.     

Every reinforcer counts: reinforcer magnitude and local preference

Six pigeons were trained on concurrent variable-interval schedules. Sessions consisted of seven components, each lasting 10 reinforcers, with the conditions of reinforcement differing between components. The component sequence was randomly selected without replacement. In Experiment 1, the concurrent-schedule reinforcer ratios in components were all equal to 1.0, but across components reinforcer-magnitude ratios varied from 1:7 through 7:1. Three different overall reinforcer rates were arranged across conditions. In Experiment 2, the reinforcer-rate ratios varied across components from 27:1 to 1:27, and the reinforcer-magnitude ratios for each alternative were changed across conditions from 1:7 to 7:1. The results of Experiment 1 replicated the results for changing reinforcer-rate ratios across components reported by Davison and Baum (2000, 2002): Sensitivity to reinforcer-magnitude ratios increased with increasing numbers of reinforcers in components. Sensitivity to magnitude ratio, however, fell short of sensitivity to reinforcer-rate ratio. The degree of carryover from component to component depended on the reinforcer rate. Larger reinforcers produced larger and longer postreinforcer preference pulses than did smaller reinforcers. Similar results were found in Experiment 2, except that sensitivity to reinforcer magnitude was considerably higher and was greater for magnitudes that differed more from one another. Visit durations following reinforcers measured either as number of responses emitted or time spent responding before a changeover were longer following larger than following smaller reinforcers, and were longer following sequences of same reinforcers than following other sequences. The results add to the growing body of research that informs model building at local levels.     

Robust nonorthogonal analyses revisited: An update based on trimmed means

Three approaches to the analysis of main and interaction effect hypotheses in nonorthogonal designs were compared in a 2×2 design for data that was neither normal in form nor equal in variance. The approaches involved either least squares or robust estimators of central tendency and variability and/or a test statistic that either pools or does not pool sources of variance. Specifically, we compared the ANOVA F test which used trimmed means and Winsorized variances, the Welch-James test with the usual least squares estimators for central tendency and variability and the Welch-James test using trimmed means and Winsorized variances. As hypothesized, we found that the latter approach provided excellent Type I error control, whereas the former two did not.Financial support for this research was provided by grants to the first author from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (#OGP0015855) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (#410-95-0006). The authors would like to express their appreciation to the Associate Editor as well as the reviewers who provided valuable comments on an earlier version of this paper.     

Parental Perceptions of Child Development Among Low-Income Mexican American Families

Parents' perceptions of child development are influenced by complex interactions among cultural, social, and economic factors. Insights into how parents from culturally diverse societies perceive the development of their children might explain why different cultural groups foster or value the development of different skills in their children. In this study, we explored the perceptions of child development among low income Mexican American parents. A series of ethnographic interviews were conducted with eight Mexican American families who had preschool children. Qualitative data analyses yielded three main themes that were important to these parents: family attitudes and values, changes, and adaptations. For these parents, the development of social attributes in children, that will enable them to function within their own cultural group, was as important as the development of cognitive or motor skills. Service providers, such as school and mental health personnel, should take into account cultural differences in parents' perceptions of the importance of various developmental milestones for their children when suggesting interventions typically used by parents in the dominant culture.     

The mediational role of motivation in the model of motor development in childhood: A longitudinal study

The aim of this study was twofold: first, to examine the stability of the hypothesized conceptual model of motor development (without and with including various types of motivation) when children are followed up one-year later, and second to examine longitudinally whether changes in one model variable predict changes in other variables, according to the hypothesized pathways in the model. A sample of 361 Spanish students (50.7% girls, 8–11 years old) voluntarily participated in this study. In relation to the first aim, structural equation modeling revealed the expected positive relationship between the model variables in both measurement times. That is: actual motor competence (MC) predicted physical activity (PA) (p < .001), perceived MC mediated the relationship between actual MC and PA (p < .001), and autonomous motivation mediated the relationship between perceived MC and PA (p < .05). Moreover, the comparison of the invariance analysis showed non-practical differences between the unconstrained model and the constrained model, supporting the stability of the model over time. In relation to the second aim, the hypothesized model in Time 2 controlling for Time 1 values showed that changes in children’s actual MC positively predicted changes in their perceived MC (p < .001), which in turn, predicted changes in their autonomous motivation (p < .001), and PA (p < .001) at Time 2. Based on these findings Physical Education teachers are recommended to foster children’s actual and perceived MC as well as their autonomous motivation over time in order to promote PA strategies for lifelong health.     

效率源自公平——关于效率与公平关系的层次分析

如果我们超越纯经济学的狭隘眼界而从整个社会的宏观角度来进行考察,那么公平与效率不但不是对立的,而且可以说效率源自公平。具体表现为:生产效率源自分配公平;市场效率源自交换公平;社会效率源自矫正公平;生态效率源自代际公平。     

The recovery rate of early stuttering

PurposeAcross studies there is great variability in reported rates of stuttering recovery. This study examined the impact that different definitions of recovery had on calculation of recovery rates and factors associated with recovery within the same sample of children.MethodSpeech samples and parents and child reports of their experiences of stuttering were collected from 38 children who stuttered aged 2–5 years of age (Occassion-1) and again at 9–13 years of age (Occassion-2). Four different criteria for recovery that were developed representing variations in criteria reported in previous research were applied to data from these children.Results. The majority of the participants (82%) showed very little disfluent speech (<1% syllables stuttered) at Occasion 2. Recovery rate varied greatly depending on the criteria used, ranging from 13.2%–94.7%. Definitions ordered from least to greatest recovery that were (a) parent and clinician report no stuttering and no stuttering observed (13.2 %); (b) ≤1% syllables stuttered; severity rated at ≤1; parent, clinician, and child report recovery (55.3 %); (c) ≤1% syllables stuttered; severity rated at ≤1; parent and clinician report recovery (71.1 %); (d) <3.0 % syllables stuttered (94.7 %). Five participants were considered recovered and two were considered persistent stutters across all criteria. Different factors were associated with recovery from stuttering depending on the criterion used.ConclusionThe concept of recovery from stuttering is complex and estimations of recovery rate are likely to be greatly affected by differences in definitions and measurement across studies. This has a flow-on effect in determining the factors associated with recovery from stuttering.