A Search for Systematic Personality Differentiae of the Only Child in Young Adulthood

The effects of the affective relationship between the model and the observer and locus of control on imitative behavior were investigated by exposing 28 boys to their most liked peer and least liked peer on a simple imitative task. Locus of control was determined by the Nowicki-Strickland (6) Locus of Control Scale for Children. More imitative responses were exhibited to the most liked peer than to the least liked peer, and a positive correlation between number of imitative responses and internal locus of control was found. Results were interpreted as indicating the need to control the affective relationship between the model and observer and as supporting Bandura (1) in that imitative behavior is primarily under self-reinforcement control.     

The Choice of Weapons: A Study of Methods of Suicide by Sex,Race, and Region

ABSTRACT: The relationship of sex, race and region to methods of suicide are used to test the validity of two theories which attempt to explain the choice of methods among suicide victims. The two theories, lethality of intent and differential socialization with firearms, are briefly discussed. Data are collected from official death certificates in five cities during a three year period, 1969 through 1971. The findings provide little support for the lethality of intent theory. Although the differential socialization theory receives partial support, one can argue for a broader sociocultural perspective on methods of suicide which includes location in the social structure as well as regional socialization.