Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

A Psychophysics Paradigm for the Collection and Analysis of Similarity Judgments
Published on: March 1, 2022
Inferential errors in taxometric analyses of ordered three-class constructs
1School of Psychology, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ 07666, USA. mcgrath@fdu.edu
Abstract:
Taxometric analysis (Waller & Meehl, 1998) has become a popular tool for investigating whether personality and psychopathology constructs are better modeled as dimensional or categorical. Monte Carlo evidence for the validity of taxometric methods, however, has been restricted to data that are derived either from latent dimensional or dichotomous models. There are various circumstances in which the correct model for a psychosocial construct could involve three or more ordered classes. It was demonstrated both mathematically and empirically that under these circumstances, the results of taxometric analyses can lead to incorrect conclusions about the population structure. Recommendations are provided for future studies intended to distinguish between categorical and dimensional structures.
Related Concept Videos
Systematic Error: Methodological and Sampling Errors
Sampling errors originate from improper sampling methods or the wrong sample population. These errors can be minimized by refining the sampling strategy. Defective instruments or faulty calibrations are the sources of instrumental...
Errors In Hypothesis Tests
Theory of Attribution I: Correspondent Inference Theory
Cause and Effect
Accuracy and Errors in Hypothesis Testing
In hypothesis testing, the probability of making a Type I error, denoted as α, is commonly set at 0.05. This significance level indicates a 5% chance...
The Representativeness Heuristic

