Memory and intelligence: Age and ability differences in strategies and organization of recall

Proficiency at organizing information for recall is one aspect of memory functioning which could be expected to be related to intelligence, or general ability. Comparisons of children of average and of superior ability (Kuhlmann-Anderson scores) in a multitrial free-recall learning task confirmed this prediction: Both level of recall and amount of sequential organization were significantly higher for the superior ability groups. Mental age definitions of intelligence imply that equivalent performance by children of different chronological ages will be based on qualitatively similar cognitive processes. This assumption was not confirmed. Age-related changes in mnemonic strategies were not associated with ability-related differences in recall or organization. Some features of memory development are more dependent on age, whereas others are more dependent on ability. The latter may be best explained in terms of production inefficiency (Flavell, 1970).     

A direct approach to individual differences scaling using increasingly complex transformations

A family of models for the representation and assessment of individual differences for multivariate data is embodied in a hierarchically organized and sequentially applied procedure called PINDIS. The two principal models used for directly fitting individual configurations to some common or hypothesized space are the dimensional salience and perspective models. By systematically increasing the complexity of transformations one can better determine the validities of the various models and assess the patterns and commonalities of individual differences. PINDIS sheds some new light on the interpretability and general applicability of the dimension weighting approach implemented by the commonly used INDSCAL procedure.     

Knowing when you don't know enough: Children's judgements about ambiguous information

Two experiments were carried out to find out whether young children's failure to realise when messages are ambiguous is specific to verbally transmitted information about a person's intended meaning. In Experiment 1, children judged whether they had been told/shown enough to identify which one of a set of cards the experimenter had chosen. In one game the experimenter gave verbal messages about her chosen cards, and in a second game, she gave visual messages. With ambiguous visual messages, relevant parts of cards were physically covered. We expected that this would make it more obvious that the speaker's intended meaning was not being fully conveyed. No difference was found between verbal and visual conditions: correct judgements about message ambiguity occured with the same frequency in both.In Experiment 2, children judged in one game whether they had been told enough about the experimenter's chosen card, as in Experiment 1. In a second game, visual information about a card was not conveyed by the experimenter, Rather, the child operated a pointer, set in a disc with windows, beneath which lay cards. The child judged whether the window showed enough for him/her to tell which card the pointer indicated. Again, correct judgments about ambiguity occured with the same frequency in both games.The results implied that children's failure to realise when verbal messages are ambiguous is but one aspect of a more general failure to realise when one has insufficient information at one's disposal to guarantee a correct interpretation of what the world is like.     

Scaling a conditional proximity matrix to symmetry

Two least squares procedures for symmetrization of a conditional proximity matrix are derived. The solutions provide multiplicative constants for scaling the rows or columns of the matrix to maximize symmetry. It is suggested that the symmetrization is applicable for the elimination of bias effects like response bias, or constraints on the marginal frequencies imposed by the experimental design, as in confusion matrices.The application of the scaling procedure to a matrix of conditional probabilities was suggested by one of the referees, whose helpful comments are gratefully acknowledged.     

A study of algorithms for covariance structure analysis with specific comparisons using factor analysis

Several algorithms for covariance structure analysis are considered in addition to the Fletcher-Powell algorithm. These include the Gauss-Newton, Newton-Raphson, Fisher Scoring, and Fletcher-Reeves algorithms. Two methods of estimation are considered, maximum likelihood and weighted least squares. It is shown that the Gauss-Newton algorithm which in standard form produces weighted least squares estimates can, in iteratively reweighted form, produce maximum likelihood estimates as well. Previously unavailable standard error estimates to be used in conjunction with the Fletcher-Reeves algorithm are derived. Finally all the algorithms are applied to a number of maximum likelihood and weighted least squares factor analysis problems to compare the estimates and the standard errors produced. The algorithms appear to give satisfactory estimates but there are serious discrepancies in the standard errors. Because it is robust to poor starting values, converges rapidly and conveniently produces consistent standard errors for both maximum likelihood and weighted least squares problems, the Gauss-Newton algorithm represents an attractive alternative for at least some covariance structure analyses.Work by the first author has been supported in part by Grant No. Da01070 from the U. S. Public Health Service. Work by the second author has been supported in part by Grant No. MCS 77-02121 from the National Science Foundation.     

Jungian socioanalysis,social dreaming and the emerging complexity of Europe1

This paper presents central elements of what we have termed Jungian socioanalysis – an emerging theory combining analytical psychology, complexity theories, sociological theories, socio- and psychoanalysis, social dreaming, group analysis and affect theories consisting of five assumptions (see also Odde & Vestergaard 2021). Jungian socioanalysis develops a process approach, as opposed to a systems approach, to sociality. In this paper we focus mostly on one of the five assumptions, namely that Jungian socioanalysis explores social fields ‘from within’ through smaller groups, treating group processes as a vehicle to gain a psychosocial and cultural understanding of larger social entities. We give an example of this approach with a presentation of two local social dreaming experiences in Denmark, focusing on Europe in transition. We show that the most significant outcome doesn't rely on the specific content of the dreams, but rather on the engagement in the social dreaming process itself, resulting in transformative image-affects. The paper ends with reflections on how these social dreaming experiences inform a Jungian socioanalysis, pointing to enabling intersubjective meetings, or present moments, opening for a deeper understanding from within the group as opposed to a systems approach. The paper is a revised version of a presentation at the 2018 European Congress in Avignon.     

Fungible Correlation Matrices: A Method for Generating Nonsingular,Singular, and Improper Correlation Matrices for Monte Carlo Research

For a fixed set of standardized regression coefficients and a fixed coefficient of determination (R-squared), an infinite number of predictor correlation matrices will satisfy the implied quadratic form. I call such matrices fungible correlation matrices. In this article, I describe an algorithm for generating positive definite (PD), positive semidefinite (PSD), or indefinite (ID) fungible correlation matrices that have a random or fixed smallest eigenvalue. The underlying equations of this algorithm are reviewed from both algebraic and geometric perspectives. Two simulation studies illustrate that fungible correlation matrices can be profitably used in Monte Carlo research. The first study uses PD fungible correlation matrices to compare penalized regression algorithms. The second study uses ID fungible correlation matrices to compare matrix-smoothing algorithms. R code for generating fungible correlation matrices is presented in the supplemental materials.     

改进的认知诊断模型项目功能差异检验方法——基于观察信息矩阵的Wald统计量

Hou,de la Torre和Nandakumar(2014)提出可以使用Wald统计量检验DIF,但其结果的一类错误率存在过度膨胀的问题。本研究中提出了一个使用观察信息矩阵进行计算的改进后的Wald统计量。结果表明:(1)使用观察信息矩阵计算的这一改进后的Wald统计量在DIF检验中具有良好的一类错误控制率,尤其是在项目具有较高区分能力的时候,解决了以往研究中一类错误率过度膨胀的问题。(2)随着样本量的增加以及DIF量的增大,使用观察信息矩阵计算Wald统计量的统计检验力也在增加。     

Introduction to the special issue on Bayesian journey-to-crime modelling

In this special issue of the Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling, we explore a Bayesian approach to journey-to-crime (JTC) estimation with an emphasis on the statistical models used. The approach conceptualises the probability that an offender lives at one location as the product of the probability distribution from a JTC estimate along with the probability distribution of other offenders who committed crimes in the same locations. The Bayesian approach is appropriate as the second part is conditional on the first part. The introduction gives the background behind the methodology and suggests how future improvements can be made by integrating new information. Finally, the papers in the special issue are introduced. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

小学四、五年级数学诊断性测验的编制——基于规则空间模型的方法

基于规则空间模型, 以小学四、五年级数学诊断性测验的编制为例, 探索了认知诊断理论背景下诊断性测验的编制方法。研究发现, 基于规则空间模型编制的诊断性测验具备优良的信效度, 尤其在结构效度上具有突出优势。应用该测验对1059名四、五年级学生进行诊断测验的结果显示:在整体上, 学生对整数、初级运算与应用掌握得较为巩固, 对量、统计、规律、高级运算掌握较差;在发展趋势上, 量、统计、规律、高级运算是四、五年级之间进步最快的属性。