中華心理學刊 民 88，41 卷，1 期，53-64
Chinese Journal of Psychology 1999, Vol.41, No.1, 53-64

Chian-Fang Grace Cherng（Counseling and Psychologiacal Research Center Republic of China Air Force Academy）

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to introduce the hierarchical classes analysis (HICLAS) developed by Rosenberg and DeBoeck in 1988 and revised in 1992. The HICLAS algorithm is designed to analyze a set of two-way, two-mode (i. e., targets by attributes) data. Its graphic re presentation is a se t-theoretical structure that includes a hierarchical structure of targets (or objects) and a hierarchical structure of attributes (or features) as well as the relationship between these two structures. HICLAS with this novel feature is superior to other similar techniques, such as MDS, hierarchic al clustering, and block modeling. A hypothetic al data from person perception is applied to illustrate the HICLAS representation and interpretations using both disjunctive and conjunctive ana lyses. Moreover, an empirical ex ample from the child abuse study is described. The characteristics of the abused mothers (those who were physically abused by their parents when they were young) were revealed by applying a free-response method and the HICLAS. The explanation of the cycle of abuse is proposed based on these results. Furthermore, applying HICLAS in the development of indigenous psychology as well as the study of ambivalence are addressed.

Keywords：HICLAS, Clustering, Child abuse, Person perception, Ambivalence