This article emphasizes that the Rasch model is not only very useful for psychological test calibration but is also necessary if the number of solved items is to be used as an examinee's score. Simplified proof that the Rasch model implies specific objective parameter comparisons is given. Consequently, a model check per se is possible. For data…

The Iowa Gambling Task (Bechara, Damasio, Damasio, & Anderson, 1994) has become widely used as a laboratory test of "real-life" decision-making. However, aspects of its administration that have been varied by researchers may differentially affect performance and the conclusions researchers can draw. Some researchers have used facsimile money…

The (univariate) isotonic psychometric (ISOP) model (Scheiblechner, 1995) is a nonparametric IRT model for dichotomous and polytomous (rating scale) psychological test data. A weak subject independence axiom W1 postulates that the subjects are ordered in the same way except for ties (i.e., similarly or isotonically) by all items of a psychological…

In the technique developed by K. G. Joreskog to solve the problem for oblique rotation to a specified simple structure, the basic concept is that the simple structure solution itself is determined only by the zero coefficients of the reference-structure matrix and not by the coefficients of non-zero magnitude. Following this, prior information…

A procedure for item analysis using distance clustering is described. Items are grouped according to the predominant factors measured, regardless of what they are. The procedure provides an efficient method of treating unanswered items. (Author/RC)

Authors attempted to summarize what they thought their experiments show, why the notion of testing recall and recognition under identical conditions made no sense, and their view of the theoretical implications of their experiments. (Author/RK)

Computer-assisted testing is not without its problems and pitfalls, but it holds a great deal of promise as well. Computer administration of tests provides more control over the testing process than was ever possible with paper-and-pencil testing. At the same time it offers the possibility of being able to monitor and record aspects of the testing…

The fear of fear present in agoraphobics can be broken down into a fear of the body sensations associated with the panic attacks that plague agoraphobics and maladaptive thoughts about the possible consequences of panic. In a retrospective examination of clinical files, 32 agoraphobic patients were compared to 36 patients with simple social…

The present study was designed to determine whether complementary projection is effective to reduce anxiety. (Author)

Three Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory short forms, the Mini-Mult, Faschingbauer's 166, and the MMPI-168, which were constructed by different methodologies, were compared on a sample of 1,028 psychiatric patients. Results of this study seriously question the use of MMPI short forms for clinical interpretation. (Author)

Study supported in part by Grant MH-05518 from the National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Public Health Service.