An Introduction to the Logic of Psychological MeasurementThis book declines to take for granted the widespread assumption that existing psychometric procedures provide scientific measurement. The currently fashionable concepts of measurement within psychology -- operationalism and representationalism -- are critically examined, and the classical view, that measurement is the assessment of quantity, is defended. Within this framework, it is shown how conjoint measurement can be used to test the hypothesis that variables are quantitative. This theme is developed in detail using familiar psychological examples, such as Thurstone's law of comparative judgment, multidimensional scaling, and Coombs' theory of unfolding. |
Contents
And Philosophy | 21 |
What Quantity and Measurement Really Are | 51 |
Searching for Quantity | 67 |
Copyright | |
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according additive applied arrows attribute called cancellation conditions chapter columns composed concept conclusion conjoint measurement connected considered continuous Coombs course defined definition described dimension distance double cancellation empirical relational system entities equal example exists extensive fact follows four function given greater Hence illustrated independent interest involved judged judgments kind least length magnitude matrix matter means method midpoints monotonic multidimensional natural number assigned objects observation operation pair pair comparison person physical positive possess possible preference orders probability procedure produced properties Proposition psychological measurement psychology quantitative variable ratio real numbers relative relevant representational theory represented requires response patterns rods satisfies scale shown shows similarity simply single space statements Stevens stimuli structure subjects Table taken theory theory of measurement things thought Thurstone's theory transitive true unit values weight