discriminant analysis

a multivariate method of data analysis that uses a linear combination of values from a set of quantitative variables to predict differences among a set of predefined categories or groups of another variable. For example, a researcher might use a discriminant analysis to determine whether several measures of personality can differentiate those who pursue different majors in college. If there are more than two outcome categories, multiple discriminant analysis is used. See also descriptive discriminant analysis; predictive discriminant analysis.

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Psychology term of the day

January 18th 2025

consistent missing

in parapsychology experiments using Zener cards or similar targets, the phenomenon in which a participant’s “calls,” or guesses, are consistently wrong or significantly below chance expectations. Some people attribute such systematic failure to processing error or a conscious or nonconscious reluctance to confirm psychic ability. See also psi-missing.