ability parameter

(symbol: θ) in item response theory, a theoretical value that represents a person’s capability or probable performance on a task. It is assumed that test takers possess some degree of underlying ability, and that for each individual at each ability level there is a specific item characteristic curve defining the probability of responding correctly.

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Psychology term of the day

May 9th 2024

nonadditive

adj. describing values or measurements that cannot be meaningfully summarized through addition because the resulting total does not correctly reflect the underlying properties of and associations between the component values. For example, if two variables a and b interact to influence another variable y, the addition of the separate effects of a and b will not equal the total effect since the contribution of the interaction needs to be included. Compare additive.