FITTING FINITE MIXTURE MODELS IN A REGRESSION CONTEXT

Abstract
Summary: Suppose data are collected in a three‐mode fashion (individuals x items X attributes), and it is sought to cluster the individuals into groups on the basis of lineat relations between scores on the attributes for each item and auxiliary measurements made on the same items. A mixture model is pro posed and the EM algorithm is used to fit it to the data by simultaneously estimating the group parameters and allocating individuals to groups. The method is illustrated by a simulation study and a real example in which consumers are clustered on the basis of product scores that are related to a sensory laboratory measurement.