An Introduction To the Logic of Psychological Measurement / Edition 1

by Joel Michell

Overview

This 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138990418
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/29/2016
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Contents: Preface. Part I: Theory. Section I: Some History. Making the Myth of Mental Measurement. Section II: And Philosophy. The Theory of Measurement in Psychology. What Quantity and Measurement Really Are. Searching for Quantity. Part II: Applications. Thurstone's Theory of Comparative Judgment. The Theory of Multidimensional Scaling. Coombs' Theory of Unfolding. Prospects for the Development of Psychological Measurement. Appendix 1: The Theory of Order.

Editorial Reviews

"...we are quite enthusiastic about this book....Chapters 4 to 7 give an excellent perspective on the strength of conjoint measurement....the book is well written..."
—Journal of Mathematical Psychology

"...interesting and provocative....filled with mathematical formulae, tables, and charts that add to the understanding of the material....For advanced undergraduate or graduate students or professionals with a background and interest in psychological measurement."
—CHOICE

"...provides a lucid and interesting discussion of important issues. Measurement theory is a difficult area, but Michell does a credible job with some of the important and difficult ideas....the book is a clear and unequivocal success."
—Applied Psychological Measurement

From the Publisher