Michael D. Reilly

Ethnic Migration, Assimilation, and Consumption

The cultural assimilation of Mexican-Americans in the Southwest is assessed by comparing their food consumption patterns with those of income-matched Anglos living in the same region and those of income-matched Mexicans living in Mexico City. Rather than relying on self-report data as indicators of consumption patterns data concerning the contents of the garbage of these three types of households are used. The results suggest that contrary to predictions based on the traditional model of assimilation Mexican-American consumption patterns are not a simple blending of Mexican and Anglo patterns. Rather Mexican-American consumption patterns suggest the emergence of a unique cultural style. (authors)

Working Wives and Convenience Consumption

This paper examines role overload as a possible explanation for the lack of direct links between working-wife families and convenience consumption. Role overload is combined with factors from past research in a structural-equation model. Parameters are estimated using LISREL IV on data provided by an area cluster sample of 186 households from the Milwaukee SMSA. The resultant model is generally supportive of the proposed theory.

A Comparison of Group Differences in Food Consumption Using Household Refuse

Five explanations of group differences in food consumption (national identity, ethnicity, region, income, and minority status) are tested. Data on consumption of 38 food items come from household refuse analysis for 11 social groups. Differences are best explained by regional proximity, followed by minority status. Income was least powerful, although still statistically significant.

Effects of Unexpected Situations on Behavior-Intention Differences: A Garbology Analysis

This study explores the usefulness of unanticipated situational occurrences for explaining the disparity between stated intention and actual behavior for 15 commonly consumed food and beverage products. Unlike previous research on unexpected situations, actual situational occurrences were monitored for effects on actual consumption (measured by garbage analysis and self-report). The results show that behavior-intention inconsistency is partly attributable to unexpected situations.