Factor analysis is a statistical method for describing the associations among sets of observed variables in terms of a small number of underlying continuous latent variables. Various authors have proposed multilevel extensions of the factor model for the analysis of data sets with a hierarchical structure. These Multilevel Factor Models (MFMs)…

Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is often conducted with ordinal data (e.g., items with 5-point responses) in the social and behavioral sciences. These ordinal variables are often treated as if they were continuous in practice. An alternative strategy is to assume that a normally distributed continuous variable underlies each ordinal variable.…

This study used multilevel modeling of daily diary data to model within-person (state) and between-person (trait) components of coping variables. This application included the introduction of multilevel factor analysis (MFA) and a comparison of the predictive ability of these trait/state factors. Daily diary data were collected on a large (n =…

A three subscale inventory designed by Fenigstein, Scheier, and Buss to measure self-consciousness was administered to 297 college students. Fenigstein et al.'s representation was found to fit the data in its original form. Items on the subscales differ nearly as much statistically as they do substantively. (Author/LMO)

The latent structure of the Self-Monitoring Scale of M. Snyder (1974) is evaluated by comparing several measurement models suggested by previous factor analysis of the scale using sample data from 1,113 college students. Implications of results are discussed in relation to self-monitoring and the use of factor analysis. (SLD)

Examines intrinsic individual differences in conceptual behavior with a multivariate model, three mode factor analysis. The analyses yielded five individual difference performance factors, three stage factors, and four response components indicating the importance of a multivariate representation of complex behavior. (Author/DEP)

The role that language plays in mediating the influence of verbal descriptions of persons on trait ratings of those persons was studied for 280 college students. Results suggest that the influence of verbally communicated descriptions of persons on trait ratings is mediated by the expected latent factors. (SLD)

Factor structure of the Reactions to Tests (RTT) scale measuring test anxiety was studied by testing a series of confirmatory factor models including a second-order structure with 636 college students. Results support a shorter 20-item RTT but also raise questions about the cross-validation of covariance models. (SLD)

Comrey Personality Scales (1970) were administered to 179 New Zealand university and teachers' college students. Factor analysis of the data confirmed that the basic structure of the scales was almost identical with that found in the American normative sample. (Author/RC)

The structure of voters' affective reactions and trait attributions to national political figures was studied through 3-mode factor analysis of ratings by 78 college students of 16 political figures. The factor analysis suggested that positive and negative affect and affect and trait factors were distinct but correlated. (SLD)

Twenty-six test variables for psychological differentiation and cognitive abilities were factor analyzed with a view towards replication of certain factors of perceptual and conceptual differentiation and related these factors to cognitive abilities. (Author)