Cognitive Development 27 (2012) 168–180 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Cognitive Development The latent variable approach as applied to transitive reasoning Samantha Bouwmeester a,∗ , Jeroen K. Vermunt b , Klaas Sijtsma b a Erasmus University, Burg. Oudlaan 50, Rotterdam, Netherlands b Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands a r t i c l e i n f o Keywords: Experimental design Fuzzy trace theory Latent variable modeling Latent class model Linear ordering theory Transitive reasoning a b s t r a c t We discuss the limitations of hypothesis testing using (quasi-) experiments in the study of cognitive development and suggest latent variable modeling as a viable alternative to experimenta- tion. Latent variable models allow testing a theory as a whole, incorporating individual differences with respect to developmen- tal processes or abilities in the model. Experiments, in contrast, aim at testing hypotheses that refer to a specific part of a theory; also they ignore individual differences or model the individual differ- ences using age group as a proxy for developmental stage. Drawing on a sample of 409 5–13-year olds, we demonstrate the advan- tages of latent variable models in the area of transitive reasoning. A comparison of three models showed that the latent variable model that represented fuzzy trace theory had a better fit than the models representing Piaget’s theory or linear ordering theory. © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction Piaget’s main purpose, and that of many subsequent researchers, was to uncover, understand, and control the complex mechanisms and processes that drive cognitive development Researchers are still interested in nearly the same research questions that intrigued Piaget and his colleagues, but the methods and the statistical tools they employ have changed considerably. Here we critically consider these methods and tools and argue in favor of the recent statistical latent variable approach to investigate cognitive developmental processes. ∗ Corresponding author. E-mail address: bouwmeester@fsw.eur.nl (S. Bouwmeester). 0885-2014/$ – see front matter © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.cogdev.2012.03.001