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Latent variables in psychology and the social sciences.

Kenneth A Bollen1

  • 1Odum Institute for Research in Social Science, CB 3210 Hamilton. bollen@unc.edu

Annual Review of Psychology
|December 26, 2001
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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This study explores latent variable definitions in social sciences, presenting an alternative "sample realizations" definition. It reviews their application across various statistical models, highlighting similarities and differences in latent variable usage.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences
  • Statistics

Background:

  • Latent variables are crucial constructs in psychology and social science research.
  • Existing definitions include local independence, expected value true scores, and nondeterministic functions.
  • Understanding latent variable properties like identification and indeterminacy is essential for valid modeling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and critically evaluate existing definitions of latent variables.
  • To introduce and discuss an alternative
  • sample realizations
  • definition.
  • To examine the role and application of latent variables across diverse statistical models.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of latent variable definitions and properties.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Comparative analysis of latent variable usage in various statistical techniques.
  • Conceptual exploration of an alternative latent variable definition.

    • Main Results:

    • Three primary definitions of latent variables are discussed: local independence, expected value true scores, and nondeterministic functions.
    • An alternative definition, "sample realizations," is proposed and elaborated.
    • Latent variables are integral to multiple regression, probit/logistic regression, factor analysis, latent curve models, item response theory, latent class analysis, and structural equation models.

    Conclusions:

    • Latent variables are defined and utilized differently across various statistical models, despite underlying similarities.
    • The proposed "sample realizations" definition offers a novel perspective on latent variables.
    • A comprehensive evaluation of latent variable definitions and their properties is provided.