Comparing latent distributions

We consider the problem of comparingm latent population distributions when the observed values are scores on a test battery with binary items. The latent densities are assumed to be normal densities, and we consider a test for equality of the means as well as a test equality of the variances. In addition, we consider a longitudinal model, where the test battery has been applied to the same individuals at different points in time. This model allows for correlations between the latent variable at different time points, and methods are discussed for estimating the correlation coefficient.This work was supported in part by a grant from the Danish Social Science Research Council.     

MULTIPLE TREATMENT INTERFERENCE IN THE ALTERNATING TREATMENTS DESIGN AS A FUNCTION OF THE INTERCOMPONENT INTERVAL LENGTH

In experimental designs requiring the administration of more than one treatment to the same subject(s), the effect of one treatment may be influenced by the effect of another treatment (Campbell & Stanley, 1963), a phenomenon known as multiple treatment interference. We conducted two studies in which multiple treatment interference in an alternating treatments design was shown to be a function of the length of the intercomponent interval (ICI) separating treatment conditions. In the first study, we evaluated the effects of four different treatments on the mouthing of a severely retarded boy. Under a 1-min ICI no consistent differential responding to treatment was obtained. Differential responding emerged when the ICI was increased from 1 min to 120 min, thus suggesting multiple treatment interference in the lack of differential responding under a 1-min changeover interval. Functional control of the nondifferential and differential responding as a function of the ICI length was replicated in a reversal phase. In the second study, we compared two treatment procedures for the disruptive noncompliant behavior of a moderately retarded boy. Multiple treatment interference (i.e., the lack of differential responding) occurred with the 1-min intercomponent interval. An increase to a 120-min ICI again resulted in differential responding. A replication of multiple treatment interference by a reversal to a short interval phase was not achieved in the second subject. Results of this study support much of the basic literature on discrimination and multiple treatment interference. Major findings of this study are twofold: Multiple treatment interference can depend on the length of the changeover interval between treatments and multiple treatment interference can take the form of a lack of differential responding to various treatments. Implications for future research are discussed.     

Amount consumed varies as a function of feeder design.

Studies of pigeon behavior in which magazine-cycle duration is varied suggest that many researchers assume that feeders of different designs dispense food at roughly the same rate. However, Epstein (1981) showed that, with a commonly used feeder, the amount of grain a pigeon consumes is a negatively accelerated function of magazine-cycle duration. The present experiment shows that, with a different commonly used feeder, amount consumed is roughly a linear function of magazine-cycle duration. At a duration of 60 seconds, the second feeder dispenses roughly 10 times as much food as the first. Thus, reports of studies in which magazine-cycle duration is varied should identify the design of the feeder employed, and in some cases, authors should consider determining the feeding functions for those feeders.     

On more powerful tests of judge agreement with a known standard

To establish the existence of his abilities, a judge is given the task of classifying each ofN=rs subjects into one ofr known categories, each containings of the subjects. An incomplete design is proposed whereby the judge is presented withb groups, each one containingn=rs/b<r subjects. Then different categories corresponding to members of the group are known. Using the total number of correct classifications, this method of grouping is compared to that in which the group size is equal to the number of categories. The incomplete grouping is shown to yield a more powerful test for discriminating between the null hypothesis that the judge is guessing the classifications and the alternative hypothesis that he has some definite abilities. The incomplete design is found to be most effective (powerful) when the number of subjects in a group is limited to two or three.The author is grateful for the suggestions of the referees and the editor, which greatly improved the paper.     

4～5岁儿童对书面数符号的表征和理解能力的发展

本研究对61名中班儿童的书面数符号表征和理解能力进行了跟踪调查。一年中三次个别面试的结果表明,约40％的4岁儿童已能运用1—10的书面数符号表征数量。至中班末期,大多数5岁儿童能够较熟练地运用至少1一17的书面数符号来表征数量,尽管其中有人在两位数的表征和数字的正确写法上有困难。儿童的书面数符号表征与他们的基数概念发展水平密切相关。大学附属幼儿园4—5岁儿童的书面数符号表征能力好于为工人家庭服务的幼儿园儿童的能力。     

Are Perfectionism Dimensions Vulnerability Factors for Depressive Symptoms After Controlling for Neuroticism? A Meta‐analysis of 10 Longitudinal Studies

Extensive evidence suggests neuroticism is a higher‐order personality trait that overlaps substantially with perfectionism dimensions and depressive symptoms. Such evidence raises an important question: Which perfectionism dimensions are vulnerability factors for depressive symptoms after controlling for neuroticism? To address this, a meta‐analysis of research testing whether socially prescribed perfectionism, concern over mistakes, doubts about actions, personal standards, perfectionistic attitudes, self‐criticism and self‐oriented perfectionism predict change in depressive symptoms, after controlling for baseline depression and neuroticism, was conducted. A literature search yielded 10 relevant studies (N = 1,758). Meta‐analysis using random‐effects models revealed that all seven perfectionism dimensions had small positive relationships with follow‐up depressive symptoms beyond baseline depression and neuroticism. Perfectionism dimensions appear neither redundant with nor captured by neuroticism. Results lend credence and coherence to theoretical accounts and empirical studies suggesting perfectionism dimensions are part of the premorbid personality of people vulnerable to depressive symptoms. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Personality Psychology     

沿海某省城市居民主观幸福感纵向研究

本文在沿海某省取样,对该省城市居民主观幸福感进行了历时三年的纵向研究。结果进一步证实中围城市居民主观幸福感量表具有较好的心理测量学特性。对该省城市居民主观幸福感的动态考察表明,SARS对城市居民主观生活质量的负面影响是明显的,SARS过后人们的心理健康体验有升高的趋势,当前客观物质条件仍然对人们的主观生活质量产生突出的影响。