The Causal Foundations of Structural Equation Modeling
Abstract
The role of causality in SEM research is widely perceived to be, on the one hand, of pivotal methodological importance and, on the other hand, confusing, enigmatic and controversial. The confusion is vividly portrayed, for example, in the influential report of Wilkinson and Task Force s (1999) on Statistical Methods in Psychology Journals: Guidelines and Explanations. In discussing SEM, the report starts with the usual warning: It is sometimes thought that correlation does not prove causation but causal modeling does. [Wrong! There are] dangers in this practice. But then ends with a startling conclusion: The use of complicated causal-modeling software [read SEM] rarely yields any results that have any interpretation as causal effects. The implication being that the entire enterprise of causal modeling, from Sewell Wright (1921) to Blalock (1964) and Duncan (1975), the entire literature in econometric research, including modern advances in graphical and nonparametric structural models have all been misguided, for they have been chasing parameters that have no causal interpretation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 16, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA557445
Entities
People
- Judea Pearl
Organizations
- University of California, Los Angeles