V-structure

From Machinelearning

In graphical models, a v-structure is a set of three nodes in a graph such that there are two converging arrows and the tails of the arrows are not connected by an arrow.[1][2] For example, is a v-structure because the arrows converge at and the nodes and are not directly connected.

The middle node in a v-structure is called a collider. (?)

Some authors seem to distinguish between a v-structure and an immoral v-structure. In this case, "v-structure" seems to only mean that there is a collision, and the "immoral" means the parents are not directly connected.[3][4]

Terminology

why is this thing called a v-structure? because it looks like a letter V if the two parents are drawn above the common child?

References

  1. Judea Pearl. Causality. p. 19.
  2. "Bayesian networks". Retrieved September 21, 2018.
  3. Su-In Lee. "Bayesian Network Representation". University of Washington CSE 515, Statistical Methods, Spring 2011. p. 14 (slide 27). March 30, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
  4. Dave Essary. "Bayesian Networks Representation". p. 15. Retrieved September 21, 2018.