Public Opinion Quarterly

TUMIN, MELVIN M.; FELDMAN, ARNOLD S.

1955 Public Opinion Quarterly

doi: 10.1086/266556

Abstract It is sociologically axiomatic that things believed in have consequences, whether their “actual” existence can be scientifically verified or not. Among the things beyond the empirical pale, “miracles” have always been of great interest. A fortunate combination of circumstances made it possible for a team of trained persons from the Social Science Research Center of the University of Puerto Rico to do on-the-spot field observations of the events connected with the Miracle at Sabana Grande, whose main feature was the supposed appearance of a Virgin Saint. Of all the concrete problems of an underprivileged population, only illness and infirmity were of any importance in the expressed concerns of the believers. But the circle of consequences spread far out to touch the lives of thousands of persons in numerous unintended and unanticipated ways. Melvin M. Tumin is Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Princeton University, and Director of the Study of Social Stratification, sponsored by the Social Science Reseach Center of the University of Puerto Rico. Arnold S. Feldman is Assistant Director of the same study, and Lecturer in the College of Liberal Arts of the University of Puerto Rico. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes *The study here reported was done at the behest of the University of Puerto Rico and was supported by funds of the Social Science Research Center of the University of Puerto Rico. Grateful acknowledgment is here given to the work done in the field and in subsequent analysis by Doris Diaz, Milton and Delia Pabón, and Edmé Ruiz Torres. © 1955, the American Association for Public Opinion Research

BIRMINGHAM, W. B.; JAHODA, G.

1955 Public Opinion Quarterly

doi: 10.1086/266557

Abstract Public opinion survey techniques may become very useful instruments for the administrator of the now rapidly developing under-developed areas. In this article, the authors describe some of the special problems involved in a pre-election survey done in Africa. They conclude that, though the difficulties are different from those facing researchers in Western society, the techniques developed in literate countries can be applied in radically different environments. Both authosrs are in the Department of Sociology of the University College of the Gold Coast in Achimoto. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes *This article is a condensed form of a paper read to the 1955 Conference of the West African Institute of Social and Economic Research held at the University College of the Gold Coast. © 1955, the American Association for Public Opinion Research

EISENSTADT, S., N.

1955 Public Opinion Quarterly

doi: 10.1086/266558

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to analyze patterns of communication in several immigrant communities in Israel, to permit the proposal of certain hypotheses on the relations between the patterns of communication and social structure of a society. It is hoped in this way to make some contribution to the comparative study of communication, a field in which interest has recently been increasing rapidly. The author, currently on leave from Hebrew University, is now at the Ford Foundation‘s Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1955, the American Association for Public Opinion Research

LANG, GLADYS ENGEL; LANG, KURT

1955 Public Opinion Quarterly

doi: 10.1086/266559

Abstract Telecasters often assume an automatic reportorial accuracy when significant content is given full coverage. To test this hypothesis, the authors monitored the TV coverage of the 1952 Democratic Convention and found unwitting bias not “neutral” documentation characterized the reporting. At the time this study was written, Gladys Engel Lang was Lecturer and Kurt Lang was Assistant Proffessor in the Sociology at the University of Miami in Florida. Proffessor Lang is now on the staff of the Bureau of Audience Research of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1955, the American Association for Public Opinion Research

FORER,, RAYMOND

1955 Public Opinion Quarterly

doi: 10.1086/266560

Abstract This article is the result of a study of the effects of a radio and television program designed for an adolescent audience. The findings contribute to our understanding of the acceptability of advice by adolescents when received from an anonymous agent rather than from the individuals in the adolescents‘ primary group, the effectiveness of a mass medium program as a socializing agent, and whether such a program can supplement the prestige and authority of a primary group. The author is an Instructor in Sociology and Anthropology at the Hartford Branch of the University of Connecticut. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes *The collection of data for this report, as well as for the larger study, was made possible by the generous financial support of Station WTIC and WTIC-FM, The Travelers Broadcasting Company, Hartford, Connecticut. The author is particularly indebted to Paul W. Morency, vice president and general manager of the radio station, and Leonard J. Patricelli, program manager of WTIC Although WTIC furnished the funds necessary for the study, neither the station nor its personnel tried to influence the author of this report in his research or in the writing of this report The author also wishes to express his gratitude to Professors M. R. Davie and A. B. Hollingshead of the Department of Sociology, Yale University, for helpful comments on the manuscript. © 1955, the American Association for Public Opinion Research

SAENGER,, GERHART

1955 Public Opinion Quarterly

doi: 10.1086/266561

Abstract In this article, the author reports on the results of a content analysis of strips. In particular he describes the social milieu of the strips, the personality traits of the major characters, their goals in life, and the reflection in the cartoons of the conflict between real and ideal marriage relationships. Gerhart Saenger is a staff member of the Graduate School of Public Administration and Social Service and the Graduate Department of Psychology of New York University and a consultant with the Institute for Motivational Research, Croton-on-Hudson, N. Y. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1955, the American Association for Public Opinion Research

SHARP, HARRY

1955 Public Opinion Quarterly

doi: 10.1086/266562

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FREEMAN, HOWARD E.; WEEKS, H. ASHLEY; WERTHEIMER, WALTER J.

1955 Public Opinion Quarterly

doi: 10.1086/266563

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VICARY, JAMES M.

1955 Public Opinion Quarterly

doi: 10.1086/266564

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BRADT, KENNETH

1955 Public Opinion Quarterly

doi: 10.1086/266565

Article PDF first page preview Close This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes *The views expressed in this artical are those of the writer and do not necessarlly reflect those of the Department of Defence. © 1955, the American Association for Public Opinion Research