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 Subjects -> PSYCHOLOGY (Total: 968 journals)
 BehaviormetrikaNumber of Followers: 0      Hybrid journal (It can contain Open Access articles) ISSN (Print) 0385-7417 - ISSN (Online) 1349-6964 Published by Springer-Verlag  [2352 journals]
• Use of weights in mixed randomized response model
• Authors: Housila P. Singh; Swarangi M. Gorey
Abstract: In this paper, we have suggested a weighted unbiased estimator based on mixed randomized response model. Some unbiased estimators are generated from the proposed weighted estimator. The variance of the proposed weighted estimator is obtained and relevant condition is obtained in which the proposed weighted estimator is superior to Singh and Tarray (Commun Stat Appl Methods 19(6):751–759, 2014) estimator. It is interesting to mention that we have investigated an estimator $$\hat{\pi }_{{{\text{HS}}\left( 1 \right)}}$$ which is the member of the suggested weighted estimator $$\hat{\pi }_{\text{HS}}$$ provide better efficiency than the Singh and Tarray’s (2014) estimator $$\hat{\pi }_{\text{h}}$$ and close to the optimum estimator $$\hat{\pi }_{\text{HS}}^{{\left( {\text{o}} \right)}}$$ . Thus, the estimator $$\hat{\pi }_{{{\text{HS}}\left( 1 \right)}}$$ is an alternative to optimum estimator $$\hat{\pi }_{\text{HS}}^{{\left( {\text{o}} \right)}}$$ . The study is further extended in case of stratified random sampling.
PubDate: 2018-04-24
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-018-0049-9

• Dirichlet Bayesian network scores and the maximum relative entropy
principle
• Authors: Marco Scutari
Abstract: A classic approach for learning Bayesian networks from data is to identify a maximum a posteriori (MAP) network structure. In the case of discrete Bayesian networks, MAP networks are selected by maximising one of several possible Bayesian–Dirichlet (BD) scores; the most famous is the Bayesian–Dirichlet equivalent uniform (BDeu) score from Heckerman et al. (Mach Learn 20(3):197–243, 1995). The key properties of BDeu arise from its uniform prior over the parameters of each local distribution in the network, which makes structure learning computationally efficient; it does not require the elicitation of prior knowledge from experts; and it satisfies score equivalence. In this paper we will review the derivation and the properties of BD scores, and of BDeu in particular, and we will link them to the corresponding entropy estimates to study them from an information theoretic perspective. To this end, we will work in the context of the foundational work of Giffin and Caticha (Proceedings of the 27th international workshop on Bayesian inference and maximum entropy methods in science and engineering, pp 74–84, 2007), who showed that Bayesian inference can be framed as a particular case of the maximum relative entropy principle. We will use this connection to show that BDeu should not be used for structure learning from sparse data, since it violates the maximum relative entropy principle; and that it is also problematic from a more classic Bayesian model selection perspective, because it produces Bayes factors that are sensitive to the value of its only hyperparameter. Using a large simulation study, we found in our previous work [Scutari in J Mach Learn Res (Proc Track PGM 2016) 52:438–448, 2016] that the Bayesian–Dirichlet sparse (BDs) score seems to provide better accuracy in structure learning; in this paper we further show that BDs does not suffer from the issues above, and we recommend to use it for sparse data instead of BDeu. Finally, will show that these issues are in fact different aspects of the same problem and a consequence of the distributional assumptions of the prior.
PubDate: 2018-04-07
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-018-0048-x

• Introduction to the Vol. 45, No. 1, 2018
• Authors: Maomi Ueno
PubDate: 2018-04-01
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-018-0047-y

• Large-scale estimation in Rasch models: asymptotic results, approximations
of the variance–covariance matrix of item parameters, and
divide-and-conquer estimation
• Authors: Patrick Mair; Helmut Strasser
Abstract: Rasch-type item response models are often estimated via a conditional maximum-likelihood approach. This article elaborates on the asymptotics of conditional maximum-likelihood estimates for an increasing number of items, important for modern data settings where a large number of items need to be scaled. Using approximations of the variance–covariance matrix based on Edgeworth expansions, the problem is studied theoretically as well as computationally. In a subsequent step, these results are used to split the large-scale estimation problem into smaller sub-problems involving blocks of items. These item blocks are estimated separately from each other and, finally, merged back into the full parameter vector (divide-and-conquer). By means of simulation studies, and in conjunction with the asymptotic results, it was found that block sizes in the range of 30–40 items approximate the full-scale estimators with a negligible loss in precision. It is also shown how varying block sizes affect the running time needed to fit the model.
PubDate: 2018-02-20
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-018-0046-z

• Comparisons among several consistent estimators of structural equation
models
• Authors: Yoshio Takane; Heungsun Hwang
Abstract: With the advent of consistent partial least squares (PLSc), an interest has surged in comparing the quality of various estimation methods in structural equation models. Of particular interest are, beside PLSc, Bentler’s non-iterative confirmatory factor analysis, Hägglund’s instrumental variable (IV) estimation method, and Ihara–Kano’s non-iterative uniqueness estimation method. All of these methods yield consistent estimates of parameters in measurement models (factor loadings and unique variances), but require additional steps to estimate parameters in structural models [covariances among latent variables (LVs) and path coefficients]. These additional steps typically involve calculating LV scores, either correlating them or applying regression analysis, and correcting possible “biases” incurred by the use of LV scores as proxies of true LVs. In this paper, we conduct a Monte Carlo study to evaluate parameter recovery capabilities of the above LV extraction methods in conjunction with subsequent LV score construction and bias correction methods. We also compare these methods against more conventional estimation methods, such as the full least squares and maximum likelihood methods, that estimate parameters in both measurement and structural models simultaneously. In addition, we examine three methods of estimating standard errors (SEs) of estimated parameters from a single data set, the bootstrap method, ordinary least squares regression, and the inverse Hessian method. The SEs are important in assessing the reliability of parameter estimates and in testing their significance. It was found that Hägglund’s method used to extract one LV at a time from each block of observed variables, combined with Croon’s bias correction method, worked best in both parameter recovery and resistance to improper solutions, and that the bootstrap method provided the most accurate estimates of SEs.
PubDate: 2017-11-29
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-017-0045-5

• Correction to: How does response bias emerge in lengthy sequential
preference judgments'
• Authors: Masahiro Morii; Takayuki Sakagami; Shinya Masuda; Shigetaka Okubo; Yuki Tamari
Abstract: Unfortunately the Figure 7 was published incorrectly in the original publication of the article. The corrected version of Figure 7 and figure caption should be as below.
PubDate: 2017-11-27
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-017-0044-6

• Social constructivist approach of motivation: social media messages
recommendation system
• Authors: Sébastien Louvigné; Masaki Uto; Yoshihiro Kato; Takatoshi Ishii
Abstract: Contemporary learning theories and their implementations associated with information and communication technologies increasingly integrate social constructivist approaches in order to assist and facilitate the construction of knowledge. Social constructivism also highlights the important role of culture, learning attitude and behavior in the cognitive process. Modern e-learning systems need to include these psychological aspects in addition to knowledge construction in order to connect with long-standing pedagogical issues such as the decrease and lack of motivation for education. Current Social Networking Services (SNS) provide a platform where peers can express their passion, emotion, and motivation toward learning. Therefore, this research utilizes this platform to recommend motivational contents from peers for learning motivation enhancement (i.e., learners’ perception of their goal and purpose for learning). The proposed system consists of an SNS platform for learners to (1) express and evaluate their own goals for learning, (2) observe motivational messages from peers recommended from an LDA-based (latent Dirichlet allocation) model, and (3) evaluate their perceptions on motivational and psychological attributes. The LDA-based model recommends messages expressing diverse purposes for a shared goal by maximizing the topic divergence of Twitter messages. Learners’ self-evaluations show the positive and significant impact of observing diverse learning purposes from peers on intrinsic motivational attributes such as goal specificity, attainability, and on the confidence to achieve the desired outcome.
PubDate: 2017-11-16
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-017-0043-7

• Simultaneous canonical correlation analysis with invariant canonical
• Authors: Fei Gu; Hao Wu
PubDate: 2017-10-25
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-017-0042-8

• Weighted squared distance for two-deck randomized response model
• Authors: Augustus Jayaraj; Oluseun Odumade; Stephen Sedory; Sarjinder Singh
Abstract: In this paper, we propose a new weighted squared distance while minimizing a distance between the true proportions and the observed proportions of (Yes, Yes), (Yes, No), (No, Yes) and (No, No) answers in the setup of Odumade and Singh (Commun Stat Theory Methods 38: 439–446, 2009) model. The resultant estimator is shown to be an unbiased estimator of the proportion of the sensitive attribute of interest in a population and has smaller variance than the estimator of Odumade and Singh (Commun Stat Theory Methods 38: 439–446, 2009) with the same protection of the respondents. A real data application is also considered.
PubDate: 2017-10-24
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-017-0041-9

• Direction of comparison effect and consumer research: from general to
specific implications
• Authors: Shuzo Abe; Yoshiyuki Okuse
Abstract: When two alternatives are compared, the one that becomes the focus of comparison has a relative advantage (resp., disadvantage) when two alternatives share positive (resp., negative) unique features. This “direction of comparison effect” (DCE) has been found to manifest clearly when three conditions are met: when information is retrieved from memory rather than being externally presented, when a consumer has low product involvement but a high need for cognition, and when the attribute set size is large. The authors argue that at least two additional conditions must be met when applying the DCE in marketing: (1) the presence of unique features of market offerings and (2) the absence of situational factors such as commitment to an alternative. Experimental data on choice behavior regarding business hotels provide support for these two conditions. Also, in discussing the results, it has become clear that unnoticed DCE bias should be carefully canceled out in surveys by designing questionnaires to ensure that each alternative randomly becomes the focal alternative.
PubDate: 2017-10-11
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-017-0039-3

• Economic voting using egotropic evaluation as an information cue: how
absolute and relative income affects socio-economic evaluations and
retrospection
• Authors: Hanako Ohmura
Abstract: While egotropic evaluations of economic policy have long been analyzed as reflecting the absolute individual income situation per se, economic assessments should also comprise relative perceptions of others’ status; in other words, voters’ perceptions of economic inequality matter. First, using an internet survey, we examined how perceptions of economic disparity affect income tax rate preferences founded on absolute income. We then tested whether egotropic and sociotropic evaluations separately affect voters’ retrospection on government, or if the easier egotropic evaluation functions as an information cue for the more difficult sociotropic evaluation. The results demonstrated the following: (1) those who perceive economic inequality to exist tend to be punitive toward voters in other income brackets; (2) this punitive tendency is stronger among higher and middle earners; and (3) for the middle earners, absolute income status and for the higher earners, perception of economic inequality mediates the effect of sociotropic evaluations and ultimately influences government approval.
PubDate: 2017-10-11
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-017-0040-x

• Special feature: psychological science of survey questionnaires
• Authors: Kazuhisa Takemura; Michael Smithson
PubDate: 2017-10-04
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-017-0038-4

• Estimation of unobserved dynamics of individual partisanship: a Bayesian
approach
• Authors: Tomohito Okabe; Daisuke Nogiwa
Abstract: Political party preference is a crucial element in the analysis of economics and political science. However, it is often difficult to investigate the dynamic properties of the individual partisanship due to inaccessibility to panel data. This study proposes a Bayesian approach for estimating Markov dynamics of individual-level partisanship with repeated cross-section data in which the history of respondents’ choice of favored party cannot be observed. The proposed approach identifies individual heterogeneities that affect transitional patterns of partisanship, and replicates the dynamic patterns of individual partisan mobility. Using the proposed method with American survey data, the study shows that age, education and race significantly influence partisan dynamics among Americans over a three-decade period from 1972.
PubDate: 2017-09-19
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-017-0034-8

• How does response bias emerge in lengthy sequential preference
judgments'
• Authors: Masahiro Morii; Takayuki Sakagami; Shinya Masuda; Shigetaka Okubo; Yuki Tamari
Abstract: Internet surveys are currently used in many academic and marketing research fields. However, the results for these surveys occasionally show traces of response bias. In our study, we analyzed how response bias appears in lengthy preference judgments. 1042 respondents participated in lengthy sequential preference judgments. Three stimuli series were used: scene pictures, Attneave nonsense shapes, and point-symmetric figures. One hundred stimuli were selected for each series and individually displayed on a computer screen, with presentation order randomized for each respondent. Respondents were then asked to rate their degree of preference for each stimulus. Mean preference scores increased over the first 10–20 trials, then, gradually decreased from the middle to the last trial. Furthermore, participants tended to produce the maximum and minimum score during early trials. These results demonstrated that response bias can be a function of presentation order.
PubDate: 2017-09-18
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-017-0036-6

• Introduction to the Vol. 44, No. 2, 2017
• Authors: Maomi Ueno
PubDate: 2017-09-14
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-017-0037-5

• Asymmetrical triadic relationship based on the structural difficulty
• Authors: Koji E. Kosugi
Abstract: Using Bayesian inference, this study aims to estimate the magnitude of the cognitive load when a person perceives asymmetric social relations. Some empirical evidence relating to balance theory has shown that a balanced state is comparatively easier to memorize than an unbalanced one. In this study, since a balanced state is defined by structural complexity, an experimental hypothesis was set whereby asymmetric social relationships have different difficulty levels depending on structural complexity. The balanced state of an asymmetric relation as structural difficulty is formally derived from the eigenvalue structure of a Hermitian matrix. Asymmetric triadic relations are modeled as featuring three kinds of structural difficulties according to the eigenvalue decomposition of the Hermitian matrix and pattern-specific difficulties. The differences among the structural difficulties were not sufficiently significant to exceed pattern-specific difficulties, but the Bayes factor of the informational hypothesis of this research yielded positive effects.
PubDate: 2017-09-14
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-017-0033-9

• Erratum to: Diverse reports recommendation system based on latent
Dirichlet allocation
• Authors: Masaki Uto; Sébastien Louvigné; Yoshihiro Kato; Takatoshi Ishii; Yoshimitsu Miyazawa
PubDate: 2017-08-20
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-017-0029-5

• How previous choice affects decision attribute weights: a field survey
• Authors: Tsuyoshi Hatori; Satoshi Fujii; Kazuhisa Takemura
Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of people’s prior choice making on their weights of decision attributes. According to theories on post-decision processes, preferences are likely to be reconstructed in line with a preceding choice. The present study hypothesized that preferences are constructed so that superior (inferior) attributes of a chosen alternative are weighted higher (lower) than before. This hypothesis was tested in a field survey of university students in Japan. The data supported the hypothesis that the weights of the superior (inferior) attributes of the chosen alternative increased (decreased) as time passed since the decision was made. This result suggests the validity of the causal relationship in which choice shapes preference, which is the reverse of what is generally assumed in decision research.
PubDate: 2017-07-27
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-017-0028-6

• Respondents with low motivation tend to choose middle category: survey
questions on happiness in Japan
• Authors: Shinya Masuda; Takayuki Sakagami; Hideaki Kawabata; Nobuhiko Kijima; Takahiro Hoshino
Abstract: Some studies have shown low proportions of Japanese people rating their lives as happy. However, most surveys in Japan revealed that response distributions for subjective well-being items indicated excessive blips in middle categories. In this study, participants responded to four items that were designed to detect careless or unmotivated respondents; these items instructed respondents to choose a certain response category. Of the study’s respondents, about 40% failed to follow instructions for at least one of the four items. Besides, they often chose middle categories for well-being items. When those who did not follow instructions were excluded from the complete sample, middle categories showed low or no blips, and the proportion of respondents with high rating scores increased. Thus, this study suggested that one reason for reportedly low proportions of happy people in Japan was respondents who were not diligent in reading items.
PubDate: 2017-07-01
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-017-0026-8

• Special feature: probabilistic graphical models and its applications to
biomedical informatics—part 2
• Authors: Joe Suzuki; Brandon Malone
PubDate: 2017-06-20
DOI: 10.1007/s41237-017-0025-9

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