Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

“Parallel proportional profiles” and other principles for determining the choice of factors by rotation

  • Published:
Psychometrika Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The choosing of a set of factors likely to correspond to the real psychological unitary traits in a situation usually reduces to finding a satisfactory rotation in a Thurstone centroid analysis. Seven principles, three of which are new, are described whereby rotation may be determined and/or judged. It is argued that the most fundamental is the principle of “parallel proportional profiles” or “simultaneous simple structure.” A mathematical proof of the uniqueness of determination by this means is attempted and equations are suggested for discovering the unique position.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Bibliography

  1. Burt, C. The factors of the mind. London: University of London Press, 1940.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Cattell, R. B. Temperament tests: I. Temperament.Brit. J. Psychol., 1932,23, 308–329.

    Google Scholar 

  3. —— The description of personality: I. Foundations of trait measurement.Psychol. Rev., 1943,50, 559–594.

    Google Scholar 

  4. —— The description of personality: II. Basic traits resolved into clusters.J. abn. & soc. Psychol., 1943,38, 476–506.

    Google Scholar 

  5. --. The description of personality: III. Principles and findings in a factor analysis of the personality sphere. (Publication to be announced).

  6. --. The cultural functions of social stratification: I. Regarding the genetic bases of society.J. soc. Psychol., 1944, 20.

  7. --. The operational determination of trait unities and modalities.Brit. J. Psychol., (Publication date to be announced).

  8. Garnett, J. C. M. General ability, cleverness and purpose.Brit. J. Psychol., 1919,9, 345–366.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Holzinger, K. J., and Harman, H. H. Factor analysis: a synthesis of factorial methods. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1935.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hotelling, H. Analysis of a complex of statistical variables into principal components.J. educ. Psychol., 1933,13, 223–298.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Kelley, T. L. Essential traits of mental life. Harvard Studies in Education, Vol. 26. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1935.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Reyburn, H. A., and Taylor, J. G. Some factors of intelligence.Brit. J. Psychol., 1941,31, 259–270.

    Google Scholar 

  13. —— On the interpretation of common factors: a criticism and a statement.Psychometrika, 1943,8, 53–64.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Spearman, C. Abilities of man. London: Macmillan, 1932.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Thurstone, L. L. The vectors of mind. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1935.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Duke University, USA

    Raymond B. Cattell

Authors
  1. Raymond B. Cattell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cattell, R.B. “Parallel proportional profiles” and other principles for determining the choice of factors by rotation. Psychometrika 9, 267–283 (1944). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02288739

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02288739

Keywords

Search

Navigation