Summary
From data presented by Blatz (1) the writer determined the rank order of the Dionne quintuplets on 23 mental, physical and social traits. Rank order correlations were computed and the matrix factored by the centroid method. It was found that 4 factors will account for all the intercorrelations and for 100 per cent of the variance of every trait. Simple structure, however, could not be obtained. Consequently a psychological description of only one factor, alleged to be a maturational process, is attempted. Its relative contributions to different traits are summarized.
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References
Blatz, W. E. The Five Sisters. New York: Wm. Morrow & Co. Pp. xii + 209.
Burks, B. The relative influence of nature and nurture upon mental development. 27th Yrbk. Nat. Soc. Stud. Educ., 1928, Part I, 219–316.
Thurstone, L. L. Primary Mental Abilities. Psychomet. Monog., 193, 1.
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Recommended for publication by Dr. J. R. Kantor, February 27, 1940.
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Ferguson, L.W. A factor study of the traits of the dionne quintuplets. Psychol Rec 4, 2–8 (1940). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393231
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393231