Issue 3/4 Vol. 33 1991

Hierarchical "over-modelling" of the concept field of emotions - critique and reflections on automatical classification methods

BANDELT, H.-J., SCHOLZ, R. W., WETZEL, R.

When using hierarchical cluster techniques there is a risk of "over-modelling" (Überformung) if the method is inappropriately applied to non-hierarchically organized object fields. A study of the taxonomy of words expressing emotions by Schmidt-Atzert (1987) is used to demonstrate some of the common pitfalls in applying hierarchical cluster analysis. Thus, empirical research frequently does not check whether an object space is hierarchicaly structured, and if so, to what extent. Furthermore one may find no substantial justification for the method chosen, and/or the information contained in the model is not exhausted. The Schmidt-Atzert study is used as an example to explore the potentials of non-hierarchical methods for word field analyses. This exploration follows the lines of Bandelt and Dress (1989). The fundamental problems arising in an investigation of the concept field of emotions by means of word field analysis and the implications of applying inadequate mathematical methods and models are discussed.

Keywords: hierarchical cluster techniques, over-modelling, taxonomy of words

Short Title: Bandelt, H.-J. et al. (1991) PsyBeit 3-4:347

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