Differential Effects: Are the Effects Studied by Psychologists Really Linear and Homogeneous?
Author(s) / Creator(s)
Beller, Johannes
Baier, Dirk
Abstract / Description
Linear regression and its variants like analysis of variance are arguably the most widely used statistical techniques in psychology. By using linear regression it is merely assumed rather than empirically tested that the effects of the predictor variables are linear and homogeneous across the distribution of the dependent variable. This is problematic because it biases a scientist’s reasoning and hinders possible practical and theoretical insights. Thus an important question to ask is: Are the effects studied by psychologists really linear and homogeneous? Generalized additive models (GAMs) and quantile regression can be used to pursue this question. Benefits of complementing linear regression with these approaches include the ability to tailor actions on the specific individual in practice and the opportunity to gain more advanced scientific knowledge, for example about non-linear effects. The use of GAMs and quantile regression is furthermore empirically demonstrated in an analysis of risk-seeking and criminal peer networks as predictors of violent crime in a representative sample of German youth (N = 44.610). Practical and theoretical consequences of the results are discussed. Psychological science could immensely benefit from studying non-linear and heterogeneous effects.
Keyword(s)
differential effects non-linear heterogeneous linear regression quantile regression generalized additive models violent crimePersistent Identifier
Date of first publication
2013-05-31
Journal title
Europe's Journal of Psychology
Volume
9
Issue
2
Page numbers
378–384
Publisher
PsychOpen GOLD
Publication status
publishedVersion
Review status
peerReviewed
Is version of
Citation
Beller, J., & Baier, D. (2013). Differential Effects: Are the Effects Studied by Psychologists Really Linear and Homogeneous? Europe's Journal of Psychology, 9(2), 378–384. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v9i2.528
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Beller, Johannes
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Baier, Dirk
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PsychArchives acquisition timestamp2018-11-21T10:01:00Z
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Made available on2018-11-21T10:01:00Z
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Date of first publication2013-05-31
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Abstract / DescriptionLinear regression and its variants like analysis of variance are arguably the most widely used statistical techniques in psychology. By using linear regression it is merely assumed rather than empirically tested that the effects of the predictor variables are linear and homogeneous across the distribution of the dependent variable. This is problematic because it biases a scientist’s reasoning and hinders possible practical and theoretical insights. Thus an important question to ask is: Are the effects studied by psychologists really linear and homogeneous? Generalized additive models (GAMs) and quantile regression can be used to pursue this question. Benefits of complementing linear regression with these approaches include the ability to tailor actions on the specific individual in practice and the opportunity to gain more advanced scientific knowledge, for example about non-linear effects. The use of GAMs and quantile regression is furthermore empirically demonstrated in an analysis of risk-seeking and criminal peer networks as predictors of violent crime in a representative sample of German youth (N = 44.610). Practical and theoretical consequences of the results are discussed. Psychological science could immensely benefit from studying non-linear and heterogeneous effects.en_US
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Publication statuspublishedVersion
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Review statuspeerReviewed
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CitationBeller, J., & Baier, D. (2013). Differential Effects: Are the Effects Studied by Psychologists Really Linear and Homogeneous? Europe's Journal of Psychology, 9(2), 378–384. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v9i2.528
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ISSN1841-0413
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Persistent Identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/1185
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Persistent Identifierhttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.1377
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Language of contenteng
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PublisherPsychOpen GOLD
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Is version ofhttps://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v9i2.528
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Keyword(s)differential effectsen_US
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Keyword(s)non-linearen_US
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Keyword(s)heterogeneousen_US
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Keyword(s)linear regressionen_US
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Keyword(s)quantile regressionen_US
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Keyword(s)generalized additive modelsen_US
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Keyword(s)violent crimeen_US
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Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)150
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TitleDifferential Effects: Are the Effects Studied by Psychologists Really Linear and Homogeneous?en_US
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DRO typearticle
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Issue2
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Journal titleEurope's Journal of Psychology
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Page numbers378–384
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Volume9
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Visible tag(s)Version of Record