The latent variable approach as applied to transitive reasoning |
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Authors: | Samantha Bouwmeester Jeroen K Vermunt Klaas Sijtsma |
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Institution: | 1. Erasmus University, Burg. Oudlaan 50, Rotterdam, Netherlands;2. Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands |
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Abstract: | We discuss the limitations of hypothesis testing using (quasi-) experiments in the study of cognitive development and suggest latent variable modeling as a viable alternative to experimentation. Latent variable models allow testing a theory as a whole, incorporating individual differences with respect to developmental processes or abilities in the model. Experiments, in contrast, aim at testing hypotheses that refer to a specific part of a theory; also they ignore individual differences or model the individual differences using age group as a proxy for developmental stage. Drawing on a sample of 409 5–13-year olds, we demonstrate the advantages of latent variable models in the area of transitive reasoning. A comparison of three models showed that the latent variable model that represented fuzzy trace theory had a better fit than the models representing Piaget's theory or linear ordering theory. |
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Keywords: | Experimental design Fuzzy trace theory Latent variable modeling Latent class model Linear ordering theory Transitive reasoning |
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