Regional Differences as a Variable in Sociological Research

Abstract

Research has consistently shown that anomia, measured by Srole's scale, is more prevalent in the lower than in the higher classes, but little research has dealt with variations in anomia within given levels. This paper presents survey data bearing on three hypotheses which relate aspects of to variations in anomia within levels. The data fail to support the status inconsistency hypothesis that inconsistent statuses lead to anomia, or the social hypothesis that differential failure to achieve life goals explains variations in anomia within levels. A third hypothesis, consistent with our own and earlier research findings, is tentatively advanced though it cannot be fully tested with the data at hand: the attiRevision of a paper presented at the Southern Sociological Society meetings, Miami Beach, April, 1961. The research reported herein was performed pursuant to a contract with the United States Office of Education, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and was also supported by the Ford Foundation through the Urban Studies Program, Institute for Research in Social Science, University of North Carolina. We are indebted to David R. Norsworthy for suggestions and for help in analysis, and to Ida Harper Simpson for a critical reading of the manuscript. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.189 on Thu, 16 Jun 2016 06:38:37 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms