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Bootstraps taxometrics: Solving the classification problem in psychopathology
Abstract
Classification in psychopathology is a problem in applied mathematics; it answers the empirical question "Is the latent structure of these phenotypic indicator correlations taxonic (categories) or nontaxonic (dimensions, factors)?" It is not a matter of convention or preference. Two taxometric procedures, MAMBAC and MAXCOV-HITMAX, provide independent tests of the taxonic conjecture and satisfactorily accurate estimates of the taxon base rate, the latent means, and the valid and false-positive rates achievable by various cuts. The method requires no gold standard criterion, applying crude fallible diagnostic "criteria" only in the phase of discovery to identify plausible candidate indicators. Confidence in the inference to taxonic structure and numerical accuracy of latent values is provided by multiple consistency tests, hence the term coherent cut kinetics for the general approach. Further revision of diagnostic systems should be based on taxometric analysis rather than on committee decisions based on clinical impressions and nontaxometric research.
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“Satisfying these requirements, for the four indicators, mean full sample r = 0.37 and mean taxon and complement rs ≤ 0.06.”
From A Latent Structure Analysis of Cognitive Vulnerability to Depression in Adolescence (2019) · cites this paper as Meehl, 1995
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“This condition was satisfied in the current study (for all indicators, d ≥ 1.25)2.”
From A Latent Structure Analysis of Cognitive Vulnerability to Depression in Adolescence (2019) · cites this paper as Meehl, 1995
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When and where do we apply what we learn?: A taxonomy for far transfer
Barnett, S. M., & Ceci, S. J. (2002) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.128.4.612 · Cited by 2,076
“(Meehl, 1995, p. 269) In this section we propose a taxonomy of the various dimensions along which studies may be organized, explain why these dimensions were chosen, discuss possible interactions between dimensions, and apply the taxonomy to the transfer literature.”
BackgroundFraley, R. C., & Shaver, P. R. (2000) · Review of General Psychology · doi:10.1037/1089-2680.4.2.132 · Cited by 1,601
“Instead, these authors used taxometric techniques developed by Meehl and his colleagues (Meehl, 1995).”
MethodMarsh, H. W., Lüdtke, O., Trautwein, U., & Morin, A. J. S. (2009) · Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal · doi:10.1080/10705510902751010 · Cited by 1,245
Can network analysis transform psychopathology?
McNally, R. J. (2016) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2016.06.006 · Cited by 1,072
Reconsidering happiness: The costs of distinguishing between hedonics and eudaimonia
Kashdan, T. B., Biswas-Diener, R., & King, L. A. (2008) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760802303044 · Cited by 1,027
Metadata
- Authors
- Meehl, P. E.
- Affiliations
- University of Minnesota (US)
- Corresponding author
- Meehl, Paul E.
- Venue
- American Psychologist
- Published
- 1995-04
- Volume
- 50
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 266-275
- ISSN
- 0003-066X (ISSN-L)
- 1935-990X
- OpenAlex
- W2081843991
- Cited by
- 702
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 50 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 30 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 25
- FWCI
- 17.46
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Psychologist (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- psychopathology classification, diagnostic criteria, cut-off values, latent structure
- MeSH terms
- Mental Disorders, Humans, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
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