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A Conceptual and Psychometric Framework for Distinguishing Categories and Dimensions
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@MISC{Boeck_aconceptual,
author = {Paul De Boeck and K. U. Leuven and Mark Wilson and G. Scott Acton and Paul De Boeck and Department Of Psychology and K. U. Leuven},
title = {A Conceptual and Psychometric Framework for Distinguishing Categories and Dimensions},
year = {}
}
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Abstract
An important, sometimes controversial feature of all psychological phenomena is whether they are categorical or dimensional. A conceptual and psychometric framework is described for distinguishing whether the latent structure behind manifest categories (e.g., psychiatric diagnoses, attitude groups, or stages of development) is category-like or dimension-like. Being dimension-like requires (a) withincategory heterogeneity and (b) between-category quantitative differences. Being category-like requires (a) within-category homogeneity and (b) between-category qualitative differences. The relation between this classification and abrupt versus smooth differences is discussed. Hybrid structures are possible. Being category-like is itself a matter of degree; the authors offer a formalized framework to determine this degree. Empirical applications to personality disorders, attitudes toward capital punishment, and stages of cognitive development illustrate the approach. In this article we describe a conceptual and psychometric scheme for distinguishing the categorical versus dimensional nature of psychological variables. By psychological variables we mean variables used to distinguish between entities in some psychological respect. These entities are commonly persons, but they
Keyphrases
psychometric framework distinguishing category psychological variable hybrid structure commonly person withincategory heterogeneity formalized framework attitude group abrupt versus smooth difference manifest category psychiatric diagnosis controversial feature empirical application capital punishment cognitive development categorical versus dimensional nature between-category quantitative difference personality disorder within-category homogeneity psychological respect between-category qualitative difference psychological phenomenon latent structure psychometric scheme
