Empirical evaluation of a model of global psychophysical judgments: IV. Forms for the weighting function

Understanding the psychological interpretation of numerals is of both practical and theoretical interest. In classical magnitude estimation, respondents match numerals to sensations and in magnitude production they select sensations that stand in a prescribed numerical ratio to a given standard. The present work focusses on evaluating several possible, and related, forms for the function W formulating the distortion of numerals. The main form, of which a power function is a special case, is the Prelec exponential/power representation. Behavioral equivalents to power and to Prelec functions are formulated, tested, and rejected. It is argued that either the mathematical form or the assumption W(1)=1 is wrong. Whereas, the axiomatic literature has focussed exclusively on the former inference, we explore the alternate that W(1)≠1. Behavioral axioms are formulated in each case and experimentally tested. We conclude that most respondents satisfy a general power function and that those who do not, satisfy the general Prelec function.     

大学英语四、六级考试分数等值研究

对现有的大学英语四、六级考试分数等值模式中存在的若干问题进行了深入的分析,并提出了新的解决方案——一个基于铆题设计和两参数IRT模型的解决方案。主要包括：（1）用两参数逻辑斯蒂模型替代原来的Rasch模型,以改进题目模型的适合性;（2）用共同题目的等值设计取代原来的共同被试等值设计,解决共同被试等值设计中,等值考生的动机水平难以控制的难题;（3）建立专用的等值用题库,并且一次性完成其中铆题的预测和参数标定工作,以解决原来等值模式中存在的误差累积问题。同时,由于铆题的保密工作难度较小,因此,等值专用题库对保证等值结果的可靠性也具有重大意义;（4）本文还对新的分数等值方案进行了真实的考试数据等值计算实验,并得到了一个令人满意的分数等值结果。     

The Relational SNARC: Spatial Representation of Nonsymbolic Ratios

Recent research in numerical cognition has begun to systematically detail the ability of humans and nonhuman animals to perceive the magnitudes of nonsymbolic ratios. These relationally defined analogs to rational numbers offer new potential insights into the nature of human numerical processing. However, research into their similarities with and connections to symbolic numbers remains in its infancy. The current research aims to further explore these similarities by investigating whether the magnitudes of nonsymbolic ratios are associated with space just as symbolic numbers are. In two experiments, we found that responses were faster on the left for smaller nonsymbolic ratio magnitudes and faster on the right for larger nonsymbolic ratio magnitudes. These results further elucidate the nature of nonsymbolic ratio processing, extending the literature of spatial–numerical associations to nonsymbolic relative magnitudes. We discuss potential implications of these findings for theories of human magnitude processing in general and how this general processing relates to numerical processing.     

汽车前脸特征对年轻消费者喜好的影响

采用问卷和实验相结合的方式考察了汽车前脸的面部宽高比对年轻消费者喜好度的影响,同时探讨了支配性感知的中介作用与前脸表情的调节作用。结果发现：（1）面部宽高比可以显著预测人对汽车前脸的喜好度;（2）支配性感知在面部宽高比与喜好度之间起到完全中介作用;（3）前脸表情可以调节支配性感知对喜好度的影响,攻击型表情条件下的支配性感知显著影响喜好度,友好型表情条件下支配性感知的作用则不显著。     

考试评分缺失数据的概化理论分析

考试评分缺失数据较为常见,如何有效利用现有数据进行统计分析是个关键性问题。在考试评分中,题目与评分者对试卷得分的影响不容忽视。根据概化理论原理,按考试评分规则推导出含有缺失数据双侧面交叉设计（p×i×r）方差分量估计公式,用Matlab7.0软件模拟多组缺失数据,验证此公式的有效性。结果发现：（1）推导出的公式较为可靠,估计缺失数据的方差分量偏差相对较小,即便数据缺失率达到50％以上,公式仍能对方差分量进行较为准确地估计;（2）题目数量对概化理论缺失数据方差分量的估计影响最大,评分者次之,当题目和评价者数量分别为6和5时,公式能够趋于稳定地估计;（3）学生数量对各方差分量的估计影响较小,无论是小规模考试还是大规模考试,概化理论估计缺失数据的多个方差分量结果相差不大。     

Psychological components of responses to interest inventory items

This study tests the relevance of 10 psychological traits that are assumed to exemplify responses to the items of INFORIZON, an occupational interest inventory. To accomplish this goal, the author analyzed the responses to the interest items based on a sample of 824 participants (17–25 years old), with an assessment of the items based on psychological traits using another French sample (147 participants) in the same age category. The results of multiple linear regression analyses supported most of the hypotheses presented in this study.     

Extending the Debate Between Spearman and Wilson 1929: When do Single Variables Optimally Reproduce the Common Part of the Observed Covariances?

The covariances of observed variables reproduced from conventional factor score predictors are generally not the same as the covariances reproduced from the common factors. We sought to find a factor score predictor that optimally reproduces the common part of the observed covariances. It was found algebraically that—under some conditions—the single observed variable with highest loading on a factor reproduces the non-diagonal elements of the observed covariance matrix more exactly than the conventional factor score predictors. This finding is linked to Spearman's and Wilson's 1929 debate on the use of single variables as factor score predictors. A population-based and a sample-based simulation study confirmed the algebraic result that taking a single variable can outperform conventional factor score predictors in reproducing the non-diagonal covariances when the nonzero loading size and the number of nonzero loadings per factor are small. The results indicated that a weighted aggregation of variables does not necessarily lead to an improvement of the score over the variable with the highest loading.     

On the Mathematical Relationship Between Latent Change Score and Autoregressive Cross-Lagged Factor Approaches: Cautions for Inferring Causal Relationship Between Variables

The present paper focuses on the relationship between latent change score (LCS) and autoregressive cross-lagged (ARCL) factor models in longitudinal designs. These models originated from different theoretical traditions for different analytic purposes, yet they share similar mathematical forms. In this paper, we elucidate the mathematical relationship between these models and show that the LCS model is reduced to the ARCL model when fixed effects are assumed in the slope factor scores. Additionally, we provide an applied example using height and weight data from a gerontological study. Throughout the example, we emphasize caution in choosing which model (ARCL or LCS) to apply due to the risk of obtaining misleading results concerning the presence and direction of causal precedence between two variables. We suggest approaching model specification not only by comparing estimates and fit indices between the LCS and ARCL models (as well as other models) but also by giving appropriate weight to substantive and theoretical considerations, such as assessing the justifiability of the assumption of random effects in the slope factor scores.     

急性冠脉综合征患者血液Rho激酶活性分析

探讨 Rho 激酶（ROCK）活性与急性冠脉综合征（ACS）患者冠状动脉狭窄程度及预后的关系。选取2012年6月至2013年3月住院的129例患者,其中急性心肌梗死（AMI）组68例、不稳定型心绞痛（UA）组30例、对照（CON ）组31例。Western Blot 检测血液白细胞中 ROCK 、ROCK1、ROCK2活性,同时根据冠状动脉的狭窄程度及是否发生心血管意外分组再次比较。 AMI 组和 UA 组 ROCK 、ROCK1、ROCK2活性均增高;且 AMI 组高于 UA 组;三支、双支、单支病变组活性依次减低,Gensini 评分≥20分组及发生心血管意外组均高于 Gensini 评分＜20分组及未发生心血管意外组,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0．05）。 ROCK 活性可能对 ACS 患者预后观察、评估有重要意义。     

A comparative evaluation of factor- and component-based structural equation modelling approaches under (in)correct construct representations

Structural equation modelling (SEM) has evolved into two domains, factor-based and component-based, dependent on whether constructs are statistically represented as common factors or components. The two SEM domains are conceptually distinct, each assuming their own population models with either of the statistical construct proxies, and statistical SEM approaches should be used for estimating models whose construct representations correspond to what they assume. However, SEM approaches have often been evaluated and compared only under population factor models, providing misleading conclusions about their relative performance. This is partly because population component models and their relationships have not been clearly formulated. Also, it is of fundamental importance to examine how robust SEM approaches can be to potential misrepresentation of constructs because researchers may often lack clear theories to determine whether a factor or component is more representative of a given construct. Addressing these issues, this study begins by clarifying several population component models and their relationships and then provides a comprehensive evaluation of four SEM approaches – the maximum likelihood approach and factor score regression for factor-based SEM as well as generalized structured component analysis (GSCA) and partial least squares path modelling (PLSPM) for component-based SEM – under various experimental conditions. We confirm that the factor-based SEM approaches should be preferred for estimating factor models, whereas the component-based SEM approaches should be chosen for component models. Importantly, the component-based approaches are generally more robust to construct misrepresentation than the factor-based ones. Of the component-based approaches, GSCA should be chosen over PLSPM, regardless of whether or not constructs are misrepresented.