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Sources of error
SOURCES
OF ERROR
Anthony
GALE
Depurtment
of Psycholoo,
University of Southampton,
Southampton,
U.K.
There can be no doubt that a proportion of the variations in behaviour among human beings is biologically determined. Our concern is to optimise the strategy for detecting such variations, for systematising them theoretically, and for measuring them empirically. At the simplest level one needs a clear set of theoretical constructs, rules for inter-relating constructs, and rules for generating conditions under which observations may be made and specific hypotheses tested. At present, however, psychophysiological research into individual differences is confused, as O’Gorman has demonstrated in his classic review (1977). Given the advances already made in psychometric methods and discoveries, findings from psychometrics provide a sound basis for psychophysiological research. However, an essentially correlational approach can only take us to certain types of experiment and to a limited mode of explanation. A process-oriented approach will seek to identify dynamic, interactive and adaptive processes between organism and environment. However, such an approach creates its own problems in terms of sampling, experimental design, laboratory procedures and statistical evaluation.
O’Gorman, J. (1977). Individual differences in habituation of human physiological responses: A review of theory, method and findings in the study of personality correlates in non-clinical populations. Biological Psychology, 5, 257-318.
THE FACTOR
STRUCTURE
Paul KLINE Departmenf
of Psychology,
Unruersity of Exeter, Exeter,
U.K.
From an examination of factorial studies of individual differences in personality and ability, it is possible to list with some confidence a number of factors concerning which there is considerable agreement in respect of the psychological significance. It is these which should be the object of experimental investigation. The most important of these factors are, in the field of
OF ERROR
Anthony
GALE
Depurtment
of Psycholoo,
University of Southampton,
Southampton,
U.K.
There can be no doubt that a proportion of the variations in behaviour among human beings is biologically determined. Our concern is to optimise the strategy for detecting such variations, for systematising them theoretically, and for measuring them empirically. At the simplest level one needs a clear set of theoretical constructs, rules for inter-relating constructs, and rules for generating conditions under which observations may be made and specific hypotheses tested. At present, however, psychophysiological research into individual differences is confused, as O’Gorman has demonstrated in his classic review (1977). Given the advances already made in psychometric methods and discoveries, findings from psychometrics provide a sound basis for psychophysiological research. However, an essentially correlational approach can only take us to certain types of experiment and to a limited mode of explanation. A process-oriented approach will seek to identify dynamic, interactive and adaptive processes between organism and environment. However, such an approach creates its own problems in terms of sampling, experimental design, laboratory procedures and statistical evaluation.
O’Gorman, J. (1977). Individual differences in habituation of human physiological responses: A review of theory, method and findings in the study of personality correlates in non-clinical populations. Biological Psychology, 5, 257-318.
THE FACTOR
STRUCTURE
Paul KLINE Departmenf
of Psychology,
Unruersity of Exeter, Exeter,
U.K.
From an examination of factorial studies of individual differences in personality and ability, it is possible to list with some confidence a number of factors concerning which there is considerable agreement in respect of the psychological significance. It is these which should be the object of experimental investigation. The most important of these factors are, in the field of