Sociocognitive Processes and Item Response Models: A Didactic Example

Abstract The usual interpretation of the person and task variables in between‐persons measurement models such as item response theory (IRT) is attributes persons tasks, respectively. They can be viewed instead ensemble descriptors patterns interactions among situations that arise from sociocognitive complex adaptive system (CASs). This view offers insights for interpreting using connecting with research. In this article, we use data generated an agent‐based model to illustrate relations between “social” “cognitive” features a simple underlying CAS IRT fit resulting data. We note how ideas connect explanatory modeling briefly comment on implications score interpretations uses practice.