An EM algorithm for fitting two-level structural equation models

Maximum likelihood is an important approach to analysis of two-level structural equation models. Different algorithms for this purpose have been available in the literature. In this paper, we present a new formulation of two-level structural equation models and develop an EM algorithm for fitting this formulation. This new formulation covers a variety of two-level structural equation models. As a result, the proposed EM algorithm is widely applicable in practice. A practical example illustrates the performance of the EM algorithm and the maximum likelihood statistic.We are thankful to the reviewers for their constructive comments that have led to significant improvement on the first version of this paper. Special thanks are due to the reviewer who suggested a comparison with the LISREL program in the saturated means model, and provided its setup and output. This work was supported by National Institute on Drug Abuse grants DA01070, DA00017, and a UNH 2002 Summer Faculty Fellowship.     

Metamorphoses of the Ideal

For Evald Il’enkov, philosophy is a science of the ideal. Il’enkov spent his entire life researching the logical and historical metamorphoses of the ideal. In general, he considered the ideal as a relation between at least two different things, one of which adequately represents the essence of another. At various times Il’enkov explored quite a few ideal phenomena: forms of value and forms of property, personality and talent, language, music and fine arts, not to mention numerous categories of dialectics, ethics, and aesthetics. The article also addresses the problem: which of these phenomena is the most typical and adequate form of being of the ideal?.     

Attachment, Behavioral Inhibition, and Anxiety Disorders Symptoms in Normal Adolescents

The current study examined relationships between attachment style, behavioral inhibition, and anxiety disorders symptoms not only relying on youths' self-report but also including the parents' point of view. A large group of young adolescents aged 11–15 years and their parents (N = 280) completed measures of attachment style and behavioral inhibition and the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale, a questionnaire designed to measure symptoms of anxiety disorders in terms of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Highly similar results were found for child and parent report. That is, attachment style and behavioral inhibition were found to be interrelated with insecure attachment being associated with higher levels of behavioral inhibition. Furthermore, adolescents who were classified as insecurely attached and/or high on behavioral inhibition displayed higher levels of anxiety disorders symptoms. Finally, attachment status and behavioral inhibition both accounted for a unique proportion of the variance of anxiety disorders symptomatology.     

《易》象与《诗》象:论《周易》的类艺术表现方式

文章从符号学角度,通过《诗》《易》比较,论述了《周易》的类艺术特征。在构成符号的综合性上,在篇章的结构、句式词语的使用上,在物象选择与深层意蕴上,《易》和《诗》具有异质同构的关系。后世艺术作品中出现的同类意象,其原型可溯到《诗》,更可求诸《易》。     

Some Varieties of Particularism

Analytic particularism claims that judgments of moral wrongness are about particular acts rather than general principles. Metaphysical particularism claims that what makes true moral judgments true is not general principles but nonmoral properties of particular acts. Epistemological particularism claims that studying particular acts apart from general principles can justify beliefs in moral judgments. Methodological particularism claims that we will do better morally in everyday life if we look carefully at each particular decision as it arises and give up the search for a complete moral theory. This paper raises problems for each of these versions of particularism.     

弱智儿童视觉-动作控制的实验研究

该研究探讨了弱智儿童视觉-动作控制能力。弱智儿童被试30人,平均年龄13.5岁,平均智商53.9。实验结果与正常人的结果作了比较。结果显示,弱智儿童的视觉-动作控制能力只相当五六岁正常儿童的水平,远落后于正常中青年及老年的水平。这表明,智力缺陷与发展水平对人的视觉-动作控制能力有明显影响。     

Why study A Level Religious Studies? Qualitative perspectives from two English Midlands sixth forms

Religious Studies (RS) is expected to impact students’ personal development as well as enabling acquisition of knowledge and understanding of religious and philosophical traditions. But to what extent does this actually occur? As part of a larger quantitative investigation of the effects of A Level RS in students’ beliefs, values and worldviews through a large-scale questionnaire survey of AS students, a small-scale, in-depth piece of qualitative research was undertaken with A Level RS students in two Midlands sixth forms. Through semi-structured interviews and classroom observation, it explores students’ motivations for studying A Level RS, the value they see in the subject and how far they perceived themselves changed as a result. Students appreciated the scope to discuss and debate, and the potential wider applicability of the subject. All students felt they had their own stance both challenged and confirmed, although there also appeared to be limiting factors as to how far understanding of, and empathy for, the beliefs, values and worldviews of others was possible.