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Kievit, Rogier

Statistical models for reductive theories

Rogier Kievit (PhD student)
Psychological Methodology
Department of Psychology
FMG, University of Amsterdam
Roetersstraat 15, 1018 WB Amsterdam
Phone: +31 20 525 6688 / 6870 (secretary)
E-mail: Rogier Kievit

Project: Project financed by University of Amsterdam
Project running from: 1 August 2008 – 1 August 2012
Supervisors:
- dr D. Borsboom (University of Amsterdam)
- dr L.J. Waldorp (University of Amsterdam)
- dr J.W. Romeijn (Philosophy of Science Group, University of Groningen)
- prof dr H.L.J. Van der Maas (University of Amsterdam)

Summary of project

This project reformulates the reduction problem as measurement problem, by focusing on the question how we should combine physical and psychological indicators in a single measurement structure. In the first subproject, different positions that have been articulated in the philosophy of mind, such as identity theory and supervenience, are translated into different psychometric models. In the second subproject, these models are applied to existing datasets involving a) the relation between IQ and physical properties of the brain (e.g., brain volume), b) the relation between EEG measures of speed of processing and IQ,and c) the relation between anatomical differences in the brain and different kinds of synesthetic experience. In the third subproject, the prospects for a reductive explanation of inter-individual differences on the basis of intra-individual processes is evaluated according to theoretical insights taken from the philosophical literature on reduction.

Date of defence:
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