Definitions midterm 1 Flashcards
Factor Analysis
a statistical method that searches for joint variations in response to observed latent variables.
Exploratory factor analysis (EFA)
is used to uncover the underlying structure of a relatively large set of variables
Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA):
seeks to determine if the number of factors and the loading of measured variables on them conform to what is expected on the basis of pre-established theories.
Factor extraction
the aim of factor extraction is the expression of the greatest amount of the total variance of the variables (coverage) with the smallest amount of components/factors (parsimony)
Following to principles; parsimony = the least number of factors and coverage = yielding the most information concerning all the variables)
Factor loading
is the correlation coefficient between the variable and the factor (.56*)
Eigenvalue
the eigenvalue for a given factor measures the variance in all the variables that the factor accounts for (Self-direction = 2.89*)
Interpersonal Functioning
d
Physiognomy
the assessment of a person`s character or personality from his outer appearance, especially the face.
Phrenology
A psychological theory or analytical method based on the belief that certain mental faculties and character traits are indicated by the configuration of the skull
Metatheories
A set of assumptions about reality, which provides guidelines for what kind of ideas to use to create theories
Parsimony
a principle of factor extraction that accounts for a set of observed variables in terms of a small number of latent, underlying constructs /factors.
Personality
A dynamic organization, inside a person, of psychophysical systems that create the person`s characteristic patterns of behavior, thoughts and feelings.
Theory
An abstract theory that summarizes a set of principles pertaining to a class of events.
Case-study
An indept study of only one individual
Causality
A relationship between variables, where one variable produces a change in another variable.
Correlation
is a statistical measure that indicates a mutual relationship between one or more variables and the extent to which two or more variables fluctuate each other.
Correlation coefficient
a numeric index of the degree of correlation between two variables (.45)
Dependent variable
The variable measured as the outcome, the effect in the cause-effect relation.
Independent variable
the variable manipulated in the experiment, tested as the effect in the cause-effect relation.
Main effect
A finding in which the effect of one predictor variable is independent of other variables.
Personology
Theory of personality advanced by henry murray that emphasize person as a whole, opposed to only one aspect of the person
Random assignment
The process of putting people randomly in groups in an experiment, so that their characteristics balance out across groups
Statistical significance
a number that expresses the probability that the result of a give experiment or study could have occurred purely by chance
Variable
A variable is any characteristics, number, or quantity that can be measured or counted.
