Factor Analysis

Definition

Factor analysis is a statistical technique used to identify underlying factors or latent variables that explain the relationships among a set of observed variables. It is a data reduction method that aims to explain the maximum amount of common variance in a correlation matrix using the smallest number of explanatory concepts or factors.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Factor analysis is commonly used in personality psychology to identify the underlying traits or dimensions that account for the covariation among a set of observed behaviors or self-report items.
2. The goal of factor analysis is to identify the fewest number of factors that can account for the observed relationships among the variables in a dataset.
3. Factor analysis can be used to validate the structure of psychological measures, such as personality inventories or intelligence tests, by examining the underlying factor structure.
4. The extraction of factors is based on the common variance shared among the variables, rather than the unique variance specific to each variable.
5. Factors with eigenvalues greater than 1 are typically retained for interpretation, as they account for more variance than a single observed variable.

Review Questions

• Explain how factor analysis is used in the context of trait theorists to identify the underlying dimensions of personality.
  • Trait theorists often employ factor analysis to uncover the fundamental traits or dimensions that underlie the broad range of personality characteristics observed in individuals. By analyzing the patterns of correlations among various personality measures, factor analysis can identify a smaller set of latent factors that account for the covariation among these observed variables. This allows trait theorists to distill personality into a more parsimonious set of core traits, such as the Big Five factors of extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience. The factors extracted through factor analysis provide a framework for understanding the basic building blocks of personality and how they are organized.
• Describe how the results of factor analysis, including factor loadings and eigenvalues, can be used to evaluate the construct validity of a personality inventory or psychological measure.
  • Factor analysis can be used to assess the construct validity of a personality inventory or psychological measure by examining the underlying factor structure. The factor loadings, which represent the correlations between the observed variables and the extracted factors, can indicate the degree to which each item or scale is associated with the intended constructs. Eigenvalues, which represent the amount of variance accounted for by each factor, can be used to determine the optimal number of factors to retain. If the factor structure aligns with the theoretical model underlying the measure, it provides evidence of construct validity. Conversely, if the factor structure deviates from the expected model, it may suggest issues with the measure's ability to accurately capture the intended psychological constructs.
• Evaluate how the use of factor analysis by trait theorists has contributed to the understanding of the fundamental dimensions of personality and the development of comprehensive personality models.
  • The widespread use of factor analysis by trait theorists has been instrumental in advancing the understanding of personality structure and the identification of the core dimensions of personality. By applying factor analytic techniques to a wide range of personality measures and self-report data, trait theorists have been able to distill personality into a smaller set of higher-order factors that account for the majority of the observed variation in personality characteristics. This has led to the development of comprehensive personality models, such as the Big Five and the HEXACO model, which provide a robust and parsimonious framework for conceptualizing and measuring personality. The factor-analytic approach has also enabled trait theorists to evaluate the construct validity of personality inventories, refine existing measures, and explore the cross-cultural generalizability of personality structures. Overall, the use of factor analysis has been pivotal in advancing the scientific understanding of personality and its fundamental dimensions.

Related terms

Eigenvalues: In factor analysis, eigenvalues represent the amount of variance in the original variables that is accounted for by each factor. Factors with eigenvalues greater than 1 are typically retained for interpretation.

Factor Loadings: Factor loadings are the correlation coefficients between the original variables and the extracted factors. They indicate the degree to which each variable is associated with each factor.

Orthogonal Rotation: Orthogonal rotation is a method used in factor analysis to transform the initial factor solution into a simpler and more interpretable solution by ensuring that the factors are uncorrelated with one another.