ASSETS, SAVINGS AND LABOR SUPPLY

This paper examines the role of assets in labor supply functions. Although assets have frequently been used to measure the response of hours worked to non wage-related income, it is generally incorrect to include them in a labor supply equation. Using a simple life cycle model, working hours and assets are shown to be simultaneously determined by similar economic forces. Therefore, the correlation between them should not be accepted as evidence of a causal sequence from assets to market work. An empirical test of the life cycle implications for savings behavior is performed using data from the Survey of Economic Opportunity.     

EFFECTS OF BENEFITS APPEALS, MANDATORY APPEALS, AND VARIATIONS IN STATEMENTS OF CONFIDENTIALITY ON COMPLETION RATES FOR CENSUS QUESTIONNAIRES

This study examines the effects of two different prominentlydisplayed appeals in combination with two different prominentlydisplayed confidentiality assurances on mail-back completionrates for census questionnaires. The experiment was carriedout on a national probability sample of 30,000 household units,using occupant-addressed questionnaires that contained the contentof the 1990 decennial census short form. Neither the benefitsappeal nor the variation between two confidentiality assuranceshad a significant effect on completion rates. The mandatoryappeal, however, significantly improved completion rates, evenwhen it appeared on the envelope only.     

CLARIFYING THE CONCEPT OF DISTRACTION

Central to the investigation of the potential facilitative orinhibitive effects of distraction upon persuasion is a conceptualizationof distraction that allows for an adequate measurement of thedistraction variable. This article suggests that to avoid biasdistraction must be measured in terms of the extent to whicha person's reception of a distracting stimulus is increasedand/or his reception of the original stimulus is decreased     

Education,economic dissatisfaction,and nonconf idence in Canadian Social institutions*

Cet écrit rapporte les conclusions sur la non-confiance exprimée dans sept institutions principales canadiennes en relation avec le statut éducationnel et le mécontentement économique, aprés contrôles. Les données sont d'après un sondage adulte national (1974). Les analyses sont pour les Canadiens anglais et franqais, séparément et ensemble, avec contrôles de revenu, occupation, langue et âge. Les analyses sont guidées par deux variantes de l‘ interprétation “endoctrinement” de la signification du contact de personnes aux niveaux d’éducation plus élevés pour leurs attitudes politiques. Les constatations supportent l'opinion que les personnes traitent l‘éducation comme un investissement économique dans le futur et que ceci a des conséquences différentes sur la relation entre le statut éducationnel et les attitudes politiques, parmi adultes, dépendant de leurs niveaux de mécontentement économique. Il existe une relation positive entre statut éducationnel et non-confiance dans les institutions parmi les personnes qui sont mécontentes économiquement; et aucune relation ou le contraire entre statut éducationnel et non-confiance parmi les personnes satisfaites économiquement. Les implications de ces conclusions pour la théorie et la recherche y sont discutées. This paper reports findings on the relationships between expressed non confidence in seven major Canadian institutions, and educational status and economic dissatisfaction, after controls. The data are from a national adult sample (1974). The analyses are for English- and French-Canadians, separately and together, with controls for income, occupation, language, and age. The analyses are guided by two variants of the “indoctrination” interpretation of the significance of persons' exposure to higher levels of education for their political attitudes. The findings support the view that persons treat education as an investment in the interest of future economic rewards and that this has differing consequences for the relationship between educational status and political attitudes among adults depending on their level of economic dissatisfaction. There is a positive relationship between educational status and non confidence in institutions among persons who are economically dissatisfied; and no relationship or the opposite type of relationship between education and non confidence among economically satisfied persons. Theoretical and research implications of these findings are discussed.     

Presidential Popularity and Presidential Elections: An Update and Extension

The popularity of the president as ascertained months priorto a presidential election permits an accurate prediction ofthe election outcome, even when the incumbent president is notrunning for reelection.     

Quebec Separatism: An Analysis of Determinants within Social-Class Levels*

Cet article présente les résultats d'une analyse secondaire portant sur les données recueillies par la technique de l'enquête sur échantillon en 1968 en fonction de l'étendue et des corollaires de l'opinion séparatiste chez les adultes québécois d'expression française. L'analyse se rapporte principalement aux déterminants du séparatisme chez les nouvelles classes professionnelles moyennes. Quant aux classes laborieuses et agricoles, quelques données comparatives amènent de nouveaux éclairages. En s'appuyant sur les interprétations avancées auparavant on établit un modèle de l'appui séparatiste. En contrôlant le niveau professionnel, par le biais du « path analysis » on cherche à déceler l'impact de sept variables indépendantes. Le modèle de l'appui séparatiste fournit les éléments qui expliquent le mieux le comportement de la nouvelle classe moyenne; il explique aussi 40 pour cent de la variance dans la variable dépendante pour les professionnels et les semi-professionnels et 43 pour cent de la variance pour les gérants, les dirigeants et les propriéaires. L'impact des variables indépendantes sur l'appui séparatiste varie en fonction du niveau professionnel. A titre d'exemple, la conscience ethnique canadienne française, la méfiance du gouvernement fédéral, et le mécontentement produisent les effets indépendants les plus forts chez la classe moyenne tandis que l'insécuritééconomique et l'orientation économico-politique de gauche exercent en général une influence des plus forte chez les man?uvres et les fermiers. This paper reports a secondary analysis of 1968 survey data on the extent and correlates of separatist opinion among French-speaking adults in Quebec. The analysis focuses on determinants of separatism within new middle-class occupational levels, but some comparative data are provided for the lower classes and farmers as well. A model of separatist support is constructed based on an interpretation of the previous literature and, controlling for occupational level, the effects of seven independent and intervening variables are explored in path analyses. The model of separatist support fits the new middle class best and explains 40 per cent of the variance in the dependent variable for professionals and semiprofessionals and 43 per cent for managers, officials, and proprietors. The effect of the independent variables on separatist support varied by occupational level. For example, French-Canadian ethnic consciousness, distrust of the federal government and personal dissatisfaction had their strongest independent effects within the new middle class, while economic insecurity and left politicoeconomic orientation generally had their strongest effects on separatist support among unskilled workers and farmers.