Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) Practice Test

When assessing psychological constructs, which method is more likely to account for latent variables?

1. Multiple regression

2. Factor analysis

3. ANOVA

4. Correlation

The correct answer is: Factor analysis

Factor analysis is the method most likely to account for latent variables when assessing psychological constructs. This technique is designed to identify underlying relationships between measured variables, allowing researchers to discover latent constructs that are not directly observable. By analyzing patterns of correlations among observed variables, factor analysis can group these variables into factors that represent the latent dimensions they are measuring. This is particularly useful in psychology, where many constructs (such as intelligence, personality traits, and attitudes) are abstract and cannot be measured directly. In contrast, multiple regression focuses on predicting a single outcome variable based on one or more predictor variables, without inherently allowing for the identification of underlying latent constructs. ANOVA, or analysis of variance, is primarily used to compare means across groups and does not focus on revealing hidden variables. Correlation assesses the relationship between two variables but does not delve into the complex structure of how multiple variables interact or connect to latent traits. Thus, factor analysis is uniquely suited to reveal and account for these abstract constructs in psychological research.