Evans W. Curry

Social Context and the Presbyterian Gay/Lesbian Ordination Debate: Testing Open-Systems Theory

This paper examines the context within which Presbyterian Church (USA) leaders formally decided to prohibit the ordination of openly gay and lesbian elders, deacons, and clergy. Data from resolutions presented to Presbyterian General Assemblies from 1990-1996 reveal that a disproportionate percentage of initiatives seeking to restrict leaderssexual behavior in general, and homosexual behavior in particular, come from Synods located where conservative Christians dominate the religious culture. State and county-level data on religious affiliation gathered by the Glenmary Research Center were merged to correspond with Synod boundaries. Analysis reveals that resolutions explicitly prohibiting homosexual and non-marital sexual behavior by church leaders are, overall, more likely to come from Synods where conservative Christians disproportionately outnumber Presbyterians. However, our analysis falls short of completely explaining this phenomenon. The Synod from which the single largest number of conservative overtures originated is actually the same one wherein conservatives are least prevalent. Thus, we provide qualified evidence that aspects of the larger Open-System within which church leaders make decisions help predict organizational action. In general, we argue that Presbyterian leaders who live and work where Biblical conservatism dominates the cultural scene are more likely to act in ways which reflect a literal interpretation of Biblical prohibitions against homosexuality. But much more work needs to be done.

Attrition Patterns in a Summer Program for Gifted Junior High Students.

Research on attrition or “drop‐out” is briefly summarized with particular attention to Tintos model of social and academic integration. An argument is made for theoretically based research on attrition among gifted adolescents. As a preliminary step, completion and performance data were examined from gifted seventh‐ and eighth‐grade students (n = 92) in an eight‐week summer mathematics enrichment program sponsored by the GTE Corporation. Findings are presented as they relate to attrition and performance patterns, and implications for gifted education and follow‐up are discussed.

CONCERN FOR GOD AND CONCERN FOR SOCIETY: RELIGIOSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

This paper adds to the integration of sociology of religion and social stratification by bringing together work in social justice from sociology of religion and economic issues from social stratification. The research focuses on the narrower topic of attitudes toward economic justice. Specifically, it focuses on the contributions of both religiosity and religious affiliation to such attitudes. The contributions of the religious components are assessed independent of other factors identified to be important in the two areas. Using data from the 1987 panel of the General Social Survey, multiple analyses of variance reveals relatively strong structural effects but no relationship between religiosity and attitudes toward economic justice. Religious affiliation is statistically significant, but of sufficiently limited “captured variance” that substantive interpretation must wait future research.

Research projects in a summer mathematics program for gifted junior high students

This article describes a summer enrichment program for gifted junior high students, identifies dilemmas inherent in the implementation of this and similar programs, and outlines a series of research projects intended to address some of these dilemmas. Implications of these research efforts are briefly discussed as they relate to gifted child education.

Mathematical modeling in psychophysics

This paper illustrates mathematical modeling (using differential equations) in psychophysics in order to gain theoretical improvement on a psychophysical model and, hence, possibly better analytical results.

Power Models and Error Terms

An example is presented to illustrate potential problems of working with logarithmic transformations to linearize an intrinsically nonlinear power model. Recommendations to avoid the pitfalls identified herein are offered.

Attrition patterns in a high ability programme for precollege students

Completion and performance data from 92 high ability seventh and eighth grade students in an eight‐week summer programme conducted in 1989 and sponsored by the GTE Service Corporation are examined.

A note on the integration of competing psychophysical theories

Virtually from its inception psychophysics has been caught on the horns of the dilemma as to the proper form of the fundamental psychophysical law. This paper illustrates an integration of two competing theories.

Reinterpreting polynomial regression

Recent work by Stimson et al. (1978) and Jagodzinski and Weede (1981) has explored a translation technique intended to circumvent some of the attendant problems of polynomial regression in sociological research. This piece specifies some of the limitations of the translation technique while explicating a straightforward method of using it when appropriate. An alternate technique is then developed which avoids the earlier pitfalls. The application of the alternative technique is exemplified in an analysis of alternative occupational scales.

Mathematical modeling in sociology: An exemplar (1)

This paper describes the method of differential equation modeling. To illustrate its application in sociology, a theory of the contribution of income to occupational prestige is developed and tested. The importance of theoretical foundations and inference therefrom is then discussed with a view to providing a model for teaching and the initiation of research.