A Paradox in Pattern Analysis
Arthur B. Silverstein · Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment · 1984
Intuition suggests that when the score on one subtest is compared with the average score on a group of subtests, the outcome ought to depend on whether the score in question is included in or excluded from the average. In fact, it does not. The equivalence of the two procedures, inclusion and exclusion, is demonstrated for three varieties of pattern analysis. In addition, some historical observations are offered that testify to the almost irresistible intuitive appeal of the notion that inclusion or exclusion does make a difference.