Why not both? Rethinking categorical and continuous approaches to bilingualism

Aims and Objectives: Bilingualism is a complex construct, and it can be difficult to define and model. This paper proposes that the field of bilingualism can draw from other fields of psychology, by integrating advanced psychometric models that incorporate both categorical and continuous properties. These models can unify the widespread use of bilingual and monolingual groups that exist in the literature with recent proposals that bilingualism should be viewed as a continuous variable. Approach: In the paper, we highlight two models of potential interest: the factor mixture model and the grade-of-membership model. These models simultaneously allow for the formation of different categories of speakers and for continuous variation to exist within these categories. We discuss how these models could be implemented in bilingualism research, including how to develop these models. When using either of the two models, researchers can conduct their analyses on either the categorical or continuous information, or a combination of the two, depending on which is most appropriate to address their research question. Conclusions: The field of bilingualism research could benefit from incorporating more complex models into definitions of bilingualism. To help various subfields of bilingualism research converge on appropriate models, we encourage researchers to pre-register their model selection and planned analyses, as well as to share their data and analysis scripts. Originality: The paper uniquely proposes the incorporation of advanced statistical psychometric methods for defining and modeling bilingualism. Significance: Conceptualizing bilingualism within the context of these more flexible models will allow a wide variety of research questions to be addressed. Ultimately, this will help to advance theory and lead to a fuller and deeper understanding of bilingualism.

Distinct Risk Profiles in Social Anxiety Disorder

Using a factor mixture model (FMM) approach, we examined whether social anxiety disorder (SAD) could be subtyped by distinct risk profiles and whether these subtypes predicted different manifestations of the disorder. We derived risk profiles from neurotic temperament (NT), positive temperament (PT), and autonomic arousability (AA), which are hypothesized to be important in the maintenance of anxiety disorders such as SAD. In our sample of 758 SAD outpatients, a two-class FMM solution fit the data best. Class 1 was characterized by very low PT, whereas PT in Class 2 was substantially higher. The two classes differed to a lesser extent on NT but were virtually equivalent on AA. Class 1 had significantly more men and individuals with depressive disorders, generalized SAD, and higher SAD severity. Class 2 had more individuals with performance subtype SAD. These findings provide initial support for distinct risk profiles within SAD that may be predictive of its clinical expression.

Why not both? Rethinking categorical and continuous approaches to bilingualism

Bilingualism is a complex construct, and it can be difficult to define and model. This paper proposes that the field of bilingualism can draw from other fields of psychology, by integrating advanced psychometric models that incorporate both categorical and continuous properties. These models can unify the widespread use of bilingual and monolingual groups that exist in the literature with recent proposals that bilingualism should be viewed as a continuous variable. In the paper, we highlight two models of potential interest: the factor mixture model and the grade-of-membership model. These models simultaneously allow for the formation of different categories of speakers and for variation to exist within these categories. Researchers can then conduct their analyses on either the categorical or continuous information, or a combination of the two, depending on which is most appropriate to address their research question. Conceptualizing bilingualism within the context of these more flexible models will help to advance theory and lead to a fuller and deeper understanding of bilingualism.