A note on monotonicity of item response functions for ordered polytomous item response theory models

A monotone relationship between a true score (τ) and a latent trait level (θ) has been a key assumption for many psychometric applications. The monotonicity property in dichotomous response models is evident as a result of a transformation via a test characteristic curve. Monotonicity in polytomous models, in contrast, is not immediately obvious because item response functions are determined by a set of response category curves, which are conceivably non-monotonic in θ. The purpose of the present note is to demonstrate strict monotonicity in ordered polytomous item response models. Five models that are widely used in operational assessments are considered for proof: the generalized partial credit model (Muraki, 1992, Applied Psychological Measurement, 16, 159), the nominal model (Bock, 1972, Psychometrika, 37, 29), the partial credit model (Masters, 1982, Psychometrika, 47, 147), the rating scale model (Andrich, 1978, Psychometrika, 43, 561), and the graded response model (Samejima, 1972, A general model for free-response data (Psychometric Monograph no. 18). Psychometric Society, Richmond). The study asserts that the item response functions in these models strictly increase in θ and thus there exists strict monotonicity between τ and θ under certain specified conditions. This conclusion validates the practice of customarily using τ in place of θ in applied settings and provides theoretical grounds for one-to-one transformations between the two scales.     

Early antecedents of spouse abuse

Males taken into police custody for reported spouse abuse (n = 19) and a matched control group (n = 19) were asked to describe the drinking habits of their parents and the extent of intra-family violence witnessed by them as children. The retrospective data were compared to the participant's own present alcohol use and aggressiveness (CTS). Excessive paternal drinking and intra-family violence were recalled significantly more often by the spouse abusers than by the controls. A latent structure model suggested that the accumulated violence history was less well predicted by either paternal violence or present aggressiveness than by the direct and indirect effects related to drinking. Context-specific social learning could explain why the parental drunken violence behavior pattern witnessed by the child was repeated by the adult spouse abuser. Aggr. Behav. 23:239–243, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

On measurement properties of continuation ratio models

Three classes of polytomous IRT models are distinguished. These classes are the adjacent category models, the cumulative probability models, and the continuation ratio models. So far, the latter class has received relatively little attention. The class of continuation ratio models includes logistic models, such as the sequential model (Tutz, 1990), and nonlogistic models, such as the acceleration model (Samejima, 1995) and the nonparametric sequential model (Hemker, 1996). Four measurement properties are discussed. These are monotone likelihood ratio of the total score, stochastic ordering of the latent trait by the total score, stochastic ordering of the total score by the latent trait, and invariant item ordering. These properties have been investigated previously for the adjacent category models and the cumulative probability models, and for the continuation ratio models this is done here. It is shown that stochastic ordering of the total score by the latent trait is implied by all continuation ratio models, while monotone likelihood ratio of the total score and stochastic ordering on the latent trait by the total score are not implied by any of the continuation ratio models. Only the sequential rating scale model implies the property of invariant item ordering. Also, we present a Venn-diagram showing the relationships between all known polytomous IRT models from all three classes.     

Regression among factor scores

Structural equation models with latent variables are sometimes estimated using an intuitive three-step approach, here denoted factor score regression. Consider a structural equation model composed of an explanatory latent variable and a response latent variable related by a structural parameter of scientific interest. In this simple example estimation of the structural parameter proceeds as follows: First, common factor models areseparately estimated for each latent variable. Second, factor scores areseparately assigned to each latent variable, based on the estimates. Third, ordinary linear regression analysis is performed among the factor scores producing an estimate for the structural parameter. We investigate the asymptotic and finite sample performance of different factor score regression methods for structural equation models with latent variables. It is demonstrated that the conventional approach to factor score regression performs very badly. Revised factor score regression, using Regression factor scores for the explanatory latent variables and Bartlett scores for the response latent variables, produces consistent estimators for all parameters.     

Religion and Science: The Embodiment of the Conversation: A Postmodern Sociological Perspective

In this paper I present a model of analysis of religion and science as forms of social construction of knowledge from the perspective of postmodern sociology. Numerous works have been recently published on the possible relations between religion and science. Most authors address this relationship from the perspectives of theology, philosophy, or selected disciplines of natural sciences (Ian Barbour, John Haught, John Polkinghorne). My goal is to add to that discussion a voice from the perspective of social sciences, specifically postmodern sociology. The model I propose brings the religion-science conversation down to earth, that is, to the level of people who "live" religion and science on a daily basis. The theoretical frame-work for my analysis of religion and science and of their relationship is constructed on the basis of selected works of leading postmodern sociologists Zygmunt Bauman, Anthony Giddens, and Piotr Sztompka. I begin with a brief summary of the basic ontological and methodological presuppositions of the postmodern approach to reality. This summary is followed by a clarification of meanings of certain concepts that are crucial for the understanding of my model. Then, I present the model of analysis of religion and science and, finally, make some suggestions for sociology of religion and sociology of science that might open new opportunities and challenges for future research of the interface between religion and science in the postmodern culture.     

Marital Therapy and Marital Power: Constructing Narratives of Sharing Relational and Positional Power

Scholars continue to emphasize in their conceptualizations of marital power the capacity to exert influence in the marital relationship based on the control of valued resources and status (positional power). Much less attention has been given to the capacity to exert authority in the marital relationship through the context of an intimate relationship and the opportunities for influence it provides (relational power). Strategies are suggested for co-authoring narratives with couples in the process of therapy that create opportunities for them to share these bases of power within their families in ways that free them from the negative constraints associated with cultural discourses about gender and power.     

Clinical interventions and prevention for Asian American children and families: Current status and needed research

The current status of clinical interventions and prevention for Asian American children and/or adolescents and their families was assessed through a review of the literature on conceptual frameworks, cultural variables and related issues, and empirical studies. Five proposed approaches to treatment or prevention were examined. Some factors that might account for the slow progress of treatment research in this area were also discussed. These included conceptual and methodological issues; the paucity of data on psychopathology in this population; their low service-utilization rates; and societal images, values, and needs. Some needed directions for future research are suggested.     

如何建立聊天机器人与用户间的数字治疗联盟：关系线索的作用

近年来,研究者们将“治疗联盟”(Therapeutic Alliance,TA)的概念与在线自助干预(Internet-based Self-help Interventions,ISIs)相结合,以解决ISIs中用户参与度较低的问题。这种在数字环境中形成的TA,被称之为“数字治疗联盟”(Digital Therapeutic Alliance, DTA)。随着人工智能的迅速发展,聊天机器人可模拟人类指导,相对于传统ISIs程序更易于与用户建立关系,可通过友好、尊重、倾听、鼓励、真诚、理解、信任这几个关系线索来促进DTA的发展,为解决用户低参与度的问题提供了一种新思路。未来的研究可从影响因素、ISIs技术迭代、测量规范、实验操纵等方面对DTA作进一步的探索。     

A Duality for the Algebras of a Łukasiewicz <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> + 1-valued Modal System

In this paper, we develop a duality for the varieties of a Łukasiewicz n + 1-valued modal system. This duality is an extension of Stone duality for modal algebras. Some logical consequences (such as completeness results, correspondence theory...) are then derived and we propose some ideas for future research. Presented by Daniele Mundici     

Systems change reborn: rethinking our theories, methods, and efforts in human services reform and community-based change

This article introduces the reader to this special issue on Systems Change and highlights six lessons learned about theory, methods, and interventions for systems change that emerged across the included articles. The value of a systems approach to systems change is examined, including the need for frameworks, methods, and change activities that attend to the characteristics of systems.