Von Davier, Naemi, and Roberts (this issue) present a nice summary of the statistical ambiguity often encountered in making distinctions between qualitative and quantitative constructs. In this commentary, the author begins with two broad points. The first is that the mixture/factor arguments are most intriguing when firmly embedded in a…

The notion that there is often no clear distinction between factorial and typological models (von Davier, Naemi, & Roberts, this issue) is sound. As von Davier et al. state, theory often indicates a preference between these models; however the statistical criteria by which these are delineated offer much less clarity. In many ways the procedure…

Nesselroade, Gerstorf, Hardy, and Ram developed a new and interesting way to enforce invariance at the second-order level in P-technique models, while allowing first-order structure to stray from invariance. We discuss our concerns with this approach under the headings of falsifiability, the nature of manifest variables included in models, and…

Nesselroade, Gerstorf, Hardy, and Ram (this issue) propose to "filter out" idiosyncrasies of dynamic processes at the level of the individual through the application of dynamic factor analysis. The problem that they deal with is that individuals may differ in the items that are "salient" for a given construct, so that the same measurement model…

In a recent article, A. Maydeu-Olivares and D. L. Coffman (2006, see EJ751121) presented a random intercept factor approach for modeling idiosyncratic response styles in questionnaire data and compared this approach with competing confirmatory factor analysis models. Among the competing models was the CT-C(M-1) model (M. Eid, 2000). In an…

Based on a larger study of technophobia and technological sophistication, this study assessed computer anxiety among undergraduates in 10 countries and compared the factor structure found in the United States to that found in 9 other countries. Highlights include Interactive Computer Learning Anxiety; Consumer Technology Anxiety; Computer…

The construct of general intelligence is discussed in the context of factor models, differential validity of tests, Piagetian tasks, heritability, social class, and race. The general factor is an abstraction resulting from genes, environmental pressures, and neural structures involved in cognitive or intellectual human behavior. (Author/RD)