The analysis of categorizing behavior

Latent partition analysis enables an examination of the modal population categorizations of a set of items. The initial model proposed by Wiley is reformulated, extended and generalized. Firstly, the effects of judges are regarded as random, rather than fixed. In a second model, several latent partitions, rather than one, are allowed, resulting in a type of multidimensional approach. Finally, both the single and multiple partition models are shown to be specializations of a less restrictive model, called the category focusing model. In each of these three cases, properties implicit in the model are used to derive appropriate solution procedures. Measures of individual differences are considered, and the application of the procedure to experimental work in concept formation is discussed. Several sets of data are used to demonstrate the characteristics of the techniques evolved. This project was commenced while the author was on the staff of the University of Queensland.