PSYCHOLOGICAL-MEASUREMENT

This Thurstone (1927a) article developed a representational measuremen t model of comparative judgment; estimated discrimination probabilitie s yield scale values that imply values of other probabilities not yet observed, if the model provides a true representation. In practice, th e accuracy of such inferences is captured by ''goodness-of-fit'' stati stics. The specific representational measurement model developed can y ield magnitude measurement on psychological dimensions for which no co rresponding physical dimensions exist (e.g., favorability of ''attitud e toward''). This revolutionary article led to the development of many other representational measurement models. As opposed to psychophysic s, however, the introduction of ''true measurement'' in social, attitu dinal, and personality psychology did not yield the rapid progress Thu rstone envisioned, and currently this specific model is seldom used in these areas.