Classification error and relative rates
Our latest big project on mugshots and race misclassification by the US law enforcement. It is currently going viral on X: You can start by reading the thread summary, or…
How does one correct for measurement error in sibling models?
There was a lot of discussion regarding the corrections for measurement error used in the recent Herasight intelligence polygenic score paper. I covered it for Aporia. I want to dive…
IQ is the most predictive variable in social science*
You will often find intelligence researchers and enjoyers make claims like the following: g can be said to be the mostpowerful single predictor of overall job performance. First, no other…
Measurement error and group differences explained
I have often talked about how measurement error impacts correlations between two variables. Here we are talking about classical measurement error, which is theoretically understood as adding a normally distributed…
Heritabilities are usually underestimated
When we read popular books by leading authors, we often find statements like this: Since the 1960s scientists conducting long-term studies on special relatives like twins and adoptees have built…
Measuring antisocial behavior well
I have previously written about issues with measuring antisocial/criminal behavior, but I found a study that did it very well, so we will be talking about it. Baker, L. A.,…
Getting personality right
This post covers some stuff already covered by others, but more briefly. Two studies of interest: Riemann, R., Angleitner, A., & Strelau, J. (1997). Genetic and Environmental Influences on Personality:…
Cognitive ability, surveys and measurement error: possible bias in GxE studies
I saw this paper at random: The consequences of heavy alcohol use remain a serious public health problem. Consistent evidence has demonstrated that both genetic and social influences contribute to…
Measurement error and behavioral genetics in criminology
I am watching Brian Boutwell's (Twitter, RG) talk at a recent conference and this got me thinking. https://youtu.be/yDm9bCgPKvs?list=PLD7ASfe52RybK4nYTZejG4-kQYqKI1rXX What are we measuring? As far as I know, there are typically…
Differential measurement error and regression
In reviewing our upcoming target article in Mankind Quarterly (edit: now published), Gerhard Meisenberg wrote: “One possibility that you don’t seem to discuss is that there are true and large…