Structural equation modeling and natural systems

2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (09) ◽  
pp. 44-5100-44-5100
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Natural Systems

scholarly journals Phylogeography needs extrinsic causal theory

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greer Dolby
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Directed Acyclic Graphs ◽  
Interdisciplinary Studies ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Geological Processes ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Causal Structures

The overarching goal of phylogeography and the Earth-life sciences is to understand how geological and climatic processes contribute to the generation and distribution of the diversity of life on Earth. This question, at its heart, is one of causation. Causal structures are used to explain the cause-effect relations within natural systems and can be quantitatively evaluated through structural equation modeling. Here, I suggest that causality provides an organizing framework for linking extrinsic (geological) processes with genetic diversification and species richness that can be broadly applied. By using causal structures within individualistic taxonomic and geographic studies, we can tackle higher-order questions to reveal how Earth shapes life through time. Causal diagrams and structural equation modeling allow the abstraction of variables to accommodate (1) the heterogeneity of individual study systems, and (2) the need to reduce the complexity in interdisciplinary studies. Using directed acyclic graphs to articulate these relationships yield actionable hypotheses that feed directly back into Earth-life theory. I suggest many classically studied features, such as mountain ranges, are aggregate features whose causal effects can be decomposed into networks of indirect causal paths that are empirically testable. Formalizing causal relationships mitigates against the risk of mis-assigning causality, which can cloud our understanding of how the Earth-life system functions. Finally, this approach formalizes a way to test ideas about the top-down causation of biodiversity. Knowing how much of life is extrinsically forced would in turn reveal the importance of biotic-biotic interactions as well as intrinsic organismal and stochastic effects in shaping the diversity we see today.

Testing the Assumption of Uncorrelated Errors for Short Scales by Means of Structural Equation Modeling

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 201-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Beauducel ◽  
Anja Leue
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Error Score ◽  
Classical Test Theory ◽  
Test Theory ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Eysenck Personality Questionnaire ◽  
Personality Questionnaire ◽  
True Score

It is shown that a minimal assumption should be added to the assumptions of Classical Test Theory (CTT) in order to have positive inter-item correlations, which are regarded as a basis for the aggregation of items. Moreover, it is shown that the assumption of zero correlations between the error score estimates is substantially violated in the population of individuals when the number of items is small. Instead, a negative correlation between error score estimates occurs. The reason for the negative correlation is that the error score estimates for different items of a scale are based on insufficient true score estimates when the number of items is small. A test of the assumption of uncorrelated error score estimates by means of structural equation modeling (SEM) is proposed that takes this effect into account. The SEM-based procedure is demonstrated by means of empirical examples based on the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised.

The Measurement Invariance of the Short Dark Triad

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 207-218
Author(s):  
Mihaela Grigoraș ◽  
Andreea Butucescu ◽  
Amalia Miulescu ◽  
Cristian Opariuc-Dan ◽  
Dragoș Iliescu
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Item Response ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Dark Triad ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Scale Level ◽  
High Stake ◽  
Differential Functioning ◽  
Item Functioning

Abstract. Given the fact that most of the dark personality measures are developed based on data collected in low-stake settings, the present study addresses the appropriateness of their use in high-stake contexts. Specifically, we examined item- and scale-level differential functioning of the Short Dark Triad (SD3; Paulhus & Jones, 2011 ) measure across testing contexts. The Short Dark Triad was administered to applicant ( N = 457) and non-applicant ( N = 592) samples. Item- and scale-level invariances were tested using an Item Response Theory (IRT)-based approach and a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach, respectively. Results show that more than half of the SD3 items were flagged for Differential Item Functioning (DIF), and Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) results supported configural, but not metric invariance. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Childhood Intelligence Predicts Adult Trait Openness

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Furnham ◽  
Helen Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Social Background ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Data Set ◽  
National Child Development Study ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Uk

Abstract. This study used a longitudinal data set of 5,672 adults followed for 50 years to determine the factors that influence adult trait Openness-to-Experience. In a large, nationally representative sample in the UK (the National Child Development Study), data were collected at birth, in childhood (age 11), adolescence (age 16), and adulthood (ages 33, 42, and 50) to examine the effects of family social background, childhood intelligence, school motivation during adolescence, education, and occupation on the personality trait Openness assessed at age 50 years. Structural equation modeling showed that parental social status, childhood intelligence, school motivation, education, and occupation all had modest, but direct, effects on trait Openness, among which childhood intelligence was the strongest predictor. Gender was not significantly associated with trait Openness. Limitations and implications of the study are discussed.

Celebrity Worship Among University Students in Malaysia

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 334-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viren Swami ◽  
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic ◽  
Khairul Mastor ◽  
Fatin Hazwani Siran ◽  
Mohammad Mohsein Mohammad Said ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The West ◽  
Factor Solution ◽  
Movie Stars ◽  
Three Factor

The present study examined conceptual issues surrounding celebrity worship in a Malay-speaking population. In total, 512 Malay and 269 Chinese participants from Malaysia indicated who their favorite celebrity was and completed the Celebrity Attitude Scale (CAS) as well as a range of demographic items. Results showed that the majority of Malay and Chinese participants selected pop stars and movie stars as their favourite celebrities, mirroring findings in Western settings. In addition, exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor solution of the CAS that was consistent with previous studies conducted in the West. Structural equation modeling further revealed that participant’s age was negatively associated with celebrity worship and that self-rated attractiveness was positively associated with celebrity worship. Overall, the present results suggest that celebrity worship in Malaysia may be driven by market and media forces, and future research may well be guided by use of the CAS.

Further Insights Into the German Version of the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA)

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Reis
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Interoceptive Awareness ◽  
Multidimensional Assessment ◽  
New Instrument ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Complex Models ◽  
Approximate Zero ◽  
Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract. Interoception is defined as an iterative process that refers to receiving, accessing, appraising, and responding to body sensations. Recently, following an extensive process of development, Mehling and colleagues (2012) proposed a new instrument, the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), which captures these different aspects of interoception with eight subscales. The aim of this study was to reexamine the dimensionality of the MAIA by applying maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis (ML-CFA), exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), and Bayesian structural equation modeling (BSEM). ML-CFA, ESEM, and BSEM were examined in a sample of 320 German adults. ML-CFA showed a poor fit to the data. ESEM yielded a better fit and contained numerous significant cross-loadings, of which one was substantial (≥ .30). The BSEM model with approximate zero informative priors yielded an excellent fit and confirmed the substantial cross-loading found in ESEM. The study demonstrates that ESEM and BSEM are flexible techniques that can be used to improve our understanding of multidimensional constructs. In addition, BSEM can be seen as less exploratory than ESEM and it might also be used to overcome potential limitations of ESEM with regard to more complex models relative to the sample size.

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