Anti-Immigrant Sentiment and Occupational Context: An Examination of Multilevel Model Estimates When Samples Are Small

Many who study anti-immigrant sentiment attribute negative attitudes among the native population to objective economic threats that immigrants may pose. In multilevel studies, researchers focus almost exclusively on geographic regions, such as metropolitan areas or countries, as contexts within which to examine the consequences of objective economic threats. Although geographic regions are relevant, it is important to measure competition in other contextual units, such as occupations. Methodological challenges, however, have inhibited the measurement of economic competition and other important concepts in alternative contexts. Small sample sizes within occupations, for example, raise questions about statistical power and estimation. In this paper, the author uses data from the 2004 General Social Survey (GSS) to examine the consequences of small occupation-specific sample sizes for multilevel models predicting the perceived threat of immigrants in the US. The author examines estimates using different groupings within the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) scheme: 1) 390 detailed occupations, 2) 116 minor groups, 3) 28 sub-major groups and 4) 9 major groups. Results demonstrate that estimates based on a larger number of occupations (i.e., 390 or 116) are generally adequate despite the small occupation-specific sample sizes. Moreover, pooling the data substantially reduces the between-occupation variance, which may lead researchers to conclude that occupations are irrelevant

The Gender Gap in Political Knowledge in Poland

This paper utilizes nationally representative survey data to examine the gender gap in political knowledge in Poland. Political knowledge was assessed by asking respondents to indicate whether each of twelve national political parties was currently in the ruling coalition. We use motivation, ability, and opportunity to explain political knowledge. We predict answering ‘don’t know’ as well as answering all questions correctly. Political interest, educational attainment, previous voting behavior, having children, and age predict ‘don’t know’ responses for men and women. Having access to cable or satellite TV appears to reduce ‘don’t know’ responses, but only for men. All else being equal, men and women are equally likely to answer ‘don’t know.’ Political interest, educational attainment, previous voting behavior, age, and self-esteem predict perfect scores for women and men. Religious attendance increases perfect scores, but only for women. The gender gap in perfect scores remains significant despite controls

Gender Dependence and Attitudes toward the Distribution of Household Labor: A Comparative and Multilevel Analysis

We use comparative and multilevel methods to examine attitudes toward the distribution of household labor in 32 countries. We test hypotheses derived from Baxter and Kane’s (1995) gender dependence theory, which suggests complex relationships between societal-level gender dependence, individual-level gender dependence, and gender attitudes. Country-level data are from the United Nations and survey data are from the International Social Survey Programme’s 2002 Family and Changing Gender Roles III module. Our analysis is among the first to combine societal and individual indicators of gender dependence using multilevel modeling and to test for cross-level interactions between societal and individual gender dependence. Results provide mixed support for gender dependence theory and suggest several revisions – especially pertaining to men’s attitudes