Factor analysis

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Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is a statistical method used to uncover hidden factors behind diverse objectives in psychology, medicine, and other fields. Originally popularized by psychologist Leon Thurstone, EFA was based on the flawed “principle of simple structure” (SS), which has remained unrecognized despite advancements in more sophisticated statistical methods like confirmatory analysis and structural equation modeling. While these modern techniques are recommended for addressing observational complexities, they do not rectify the errors left by SS. This book comprises five chapters that illustrate and explain these issues. Chapter 2 introduces an unconventional factor rotation method called Varimin, which optimally reveals the functional interrelations of variables in correlation analyses. Ten applications of Varimin demonstrate its superiority over the traditional Varimax procedure. Subsequent chapters apply Varimin to sports achievements, intelligence, and personality. If Varimin continues to prove effective, it may lead to new theoretical frameworks and conceptual networks that enhance our understanding of these domains. Readers can explore this potential themselves, as the Varimin statistical tool is available for open access online.