title: Latent-variable approaches to the Jamesian model of importance-weighted averages.
abstract: The individually importance-weighted average (IIWA) model posits that the contribution of specific areas of self-concept to global self-esteem varies systematically with the individual importance placed on each specific component. Although intuitively appealing, this model has weak empirical support; thus, within the framework of a substantive-methodological synergy, we propose a multiple-item latent approach to the IIWA model as applied to a range of self-concept domains (physical, academic, spiritual self-concepts) and subdomains (appearance, math, verbal self-concepts) in young adolescents from two countries. Tests considering simultaneously the effects of self-concept domains on trait self-esteem did not support the IIWA model. On the contrary, support for a normative group importance model was found, in which importance varied as a function of domains but not individuals. Individuals differentially weight the various components of self-concept; however, the weights are largely determined by normative processes, so that little additional information is gained from individual weightings.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Pedagogia, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy. laura.scalas@unica.it
authors.forename: L Francesca
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Scalas
authors.forename: Herbert W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Marsh
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nagengast
authors.forename: Alexandre J S
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Morin
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom