Tests of symmetry in three-way contingency tables

Three-dimensional contingency tables are analyzed, with one variable (e.g., sex) as a factor, and with a natural relation between the other variables (e.g. left and right eye vision). Models of special interest, like symmetry and proportional symmetry between the related variables, and homogeneity across the factor levels, are investigated. Maximum likelihood estimators of parameters and partitions of chi-square goodness-of-fit statistics are explicitly presented; the independence of certain models is noted, and an example is discussed.     

The dimensionality of vocational commitment: An empirical assessment of Ramsay's three-factor model with trainee nurses

The validity of Ramsey's three factor model of vocational commitment – consisting of ego-involvement (ranging from altruism to self-orientation), pre-dispositions, and occupational possibilities – is examined Although no data is provided relevant to the altruism end of the ego-involvement continuum, analyses of data from a sample of trainee nurses indicated that the three measures of self-orientation, predispositions, and occupational possibilities possessed satisfactory internal consistency and discriminant validity, thus providing support for the three-dimensional model.     

Electromyographic indications of laryngeal-area activity during stuttering expectancy

Using surface electrodes, mean microvolt values of laryngeal-area muscle activity were determined for 13 male and 6 female stutterers during 10-sec periods in which single words were silently read and stuttering expectancy was indicated. No significant differences in levels of laryngeal-area muscle activity were found between periods of fluency expectancy and stuttering expectancy preceding both fluent and stuttered speech. The results were interpreted as being nonsupportive of the hypothesis that a breakdown in stutterers' laryngeal-area muscle activity occurs during moments of stuttering expectancy. In addition, the results suggest that the most common rationale for the utilization of laryngeal biofeedback procedures to enhance fluency should be questioned.     

Visual laterality patterns for pure- versus mixed-list presentation

In Experiment 1, an overall left visual field advantage for nonverbal form recognition was found in a pure list of forms, but an overall right visual field form recognition advantage was found when the form trials were randomly intermixed with word recognition trials. Form complexity also influenced the form recognition laterality pattern, but the complexity effects were independent of (i.e., additive with) those produced by randomly mixing forms with words. Experiment 2 found that the mixed-list laterality pattern was unchanged by a pretrial cue indicating whether a word or form would follow. Experiments 3 and 4 demonstrated that holding two nouns in memory on each trial in a pure list of forms has much the same effect on laterality pattern as mixing forms with words but that the combined effect of these two variables is no larger than the effect of either variable alone. The entire pattern of results suggests that (a) laterality patterns are caused by the interaction of several factors, (b) the effects of random mixing and concurrent verbal memory are both caused by selective left-hemisphere activation, and (c) the form-complexity effects are caused by some other mechanism--perhaps subtle difference in stimulus codability.     

The toy salesperson: A voice for change in sex-role stereotypes?

A field experiment was designed in which students approached sales personnel in 31 different retail settings, asking for help in selecting toys for a twin niece and nephew, 5 years of age. A majority of salesperson suggestions involved a sex-stereotypic selection of toys for both the male and the female child. Limited support was found for hypotheses that the responses of sales personnel would vary by retail setting (specialized toystore, department store, dimestore/discount store) and by sex of salesperson; responses did not vary by salesperson's age, however. Because more different toys are available for boys than for girls, female role expansion in children's play activities is a more likely outcome than sex-role convergence.This article is a revision of a paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, New York, August 1976.     

Handedness and lateral positioning in heterosexual couples: Are men still strong-arming women?

This study examined the way in which heterosexual couples arrange themselves while walking together. In same-handed couples, significantly more females were on the males' preferred (dominant) side than expected by chance — especially when the partners were touching. Apparently, handedness and lateral positioning combine to reflect a male-dominance tendency in this type of situation. In opposite-handed couples, males and females put their dominant sides together, especially when touching. Social implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are also discussed.