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Exploring Nonlinear Models in Personality Assessment: Development and Preliminary Validation of a Negative Emotionality Scale
Author(s) -
Waller Niels G.,
Tellegen Auke,
McDonald Roderick P.,
Lykken David T.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of personality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.082
H-Index - 144
eISSN - 1467-6494
pISSN - 0022-3506
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-6494.1996.tb00521.x
Subject(s) - psychology , emotionality , personality , nonlinear system , scale (ratio) , item response theory , contrast (vision) , psychometrics , cognitive psychology , social psychology , econometrics , developmental psychology , artificial intelligence , computer science , mathematics , physics , quantum mechanics
In this article we discuss the applicability of several new measurement models to the construction of personality scales, and we contrast these models with more traditional approaches in common usage, such as the principal factor analysis model. Our goal is to illustrate how nonlinear item‐response models can be profitably used in personality research. We describe the development of a 30‐item Negative Emotionality scale that was constructed using nonlinear factor analysis and item‐response theory. We also show how traditional (linear) factor analysis can produce misleading results when it is applied to personality items with dichotomous response formats (e.g., true/false, agree/disagree). No formal training in modern measurement theory is assumed of the reader as we describe the nonlinear models that are used in this study in nontechnical language with a minimum of mathematics.