Frank Farley

The Common Item In Measurement: Effects On Structure

Procedures for analyzing common item effects on the inference of personality structure were reviewed and a study using smallest space analysis of the CPI reported. Solutions to three matrices -- intercorrelation matrix of the original CPI scales, of reduced scales (with common items removed), and of the number of common items -- were compared visually, and by interpoint distance correlations and configurational similarity analyses. Marked similarity among the original structure, the item-overlap-free structure and the built-in structure was observed. It was concluded that common items magnify an intrinsic structure already existing among scales and that the common-item problem is not likely a serious on in personality measurement.

Fears in American and Israeli Women

Summary The characteristics of fears in American and Israeli female college students were studied in terms of the things feared, the intensity and extremity of fear ratings, and the generality of fearfulness across a wide range of stimuli. Two samples of 66 Ss each obtained from American and Israeli universities, and matched pairwise on age, were studied. Fears were assessed by an 88 item fear survey schedule, with an English language and Hebrew version being used. The two samples were compared in terms of generalized fear, extreme fear, item x item differences in fear responses, and in the 10 most feared stimuli in each group. The Israelis had significantly greater generalized fear measured across all stimuli employed, but were not significantly different in the frequency of specific extreme or phobic fears. On 10 stimuli the Israelis reported significantly greater fearfulness; on five stimuli the Americans reported significantly greater fearfulness. The Israelis were notable in the psychiatric implicati...

Structural Aspects of Three Hypnotizability Scales: Smallest Space Analysis

Smallest space analysis (SSA) was used to examine structural aspects of the Creative Imagination Scale (CIS), Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form:A (HGSHS:A), and Stanford Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form C (SHSS:C). Correlation matrices for each of the instruments came from published studies of other investigators. The SSA on the CIS suggested the presence of 1 facet, focus of processing, with 2 subsets of items: somato-sensory and imagination sensory. The combined 22-item matrix SSA showed that the CIS and HGSHS:A items regionalized separately. The item configuration suggested 1 facet, nature of suggestions including 3 subsets: direct motor items of the HGSHS:A, challenge-inhibition items of the HGSHS:A, and the cognitive items of the CIS. The SSA for the SHSS:C suggested 2 facets, containing 2 elements each: processing focus of suggestions (cognitive-sensory and motor-sensory) and nature of suggestions (direct and challenge-inhibition). A general mapping sentence is offered with possible implications.

Smallest-space analysis of visual pursuit in children.

A three-dimensional model of visual pursuit was tested using data of Roach and Kephart (1966) for 200 elementary school children and the recently developed nonmetric multidimensional scaling procedure of smallest-space analysis. The latter technique was briefly reviewed and contrasted with traditional factor analysis. Two dimensions were clearly identified by smallest-space analysis as Monocular-Binocular Tracking and Laterality; a third dimension, Direction of Pursuit, was less well identified. The usefulness of smallest-space analysis in identifying the dimensionality of such multivariate data gathered under naturalistic conditions, where metrical assumptions may not always be met, was argued. That the dimensionality may be influenced by experimental factors, as well as perhaps age, sex, organicity, etc., was mentioned, and suggestions for further research were made. Requests for reprints should be sent to Frank H. Farley, 1025 W. Johnson Street, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706.

Robert E. Thayer (1935-2014).

This article memorializes Robert E. Thayer (1935-2014). He was an internationally recognized leader in research into human mood, with influence inside and outside of the academy. In articles and books he advanced our understanding of the bases of human moods and the role mood plays in everyday life. His seminal work examined the biopsychology of mood, including a range of factors such as energy, tension, and arousal. He also developed a mood-related measure, the Activation-Deactivation Adjective Check List (1964).

M.C. Wittrock, a Giant of Educational Psychology

This is the introduction to a set of articles honoring the life and contributions of Merlin C. Wittrock. Wittrocks classic article, “Learning as a Generative Process,” originally published in the pages of Educational Psychologist in 1974, is reprinted, followed by comments from colleagues, friends, former students, and others on Professor Wittrocks lasting legacy.

The untouchables: Benefits, costs, and risks of tenure in real cases

The exceptional importance of the Ceci et al. study for the debate over tenure is noted, particularly the perceived importance of academic rank relative to tenure status. Beyond the significance of academic freedom lie important issues of the costs and benefits of tenure that now need to be addressed in equally rigorous research involving extensive, detailed consideration of actual cases.