1970 11 06 Science - Vol 170 No 3958 - Warren

Magazine Overview

This issue of SCIENCE, dated November 6, 1970, features a lead article titled "Status Inconsistency Theory and Flying Saucer Sightings" by Donald I. Warren. The article posits that the phenomenon of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) can be understood through a sociological lens, specifically using the theory of status inconsistency. The author argues that the behavioral sciences have inadequately studied UFOs, with the Condon Report offering only a minimal analysis of social dimensions.

The Condon Report and Gallup Poll Data

The article critiques the Condon Report's limited treatment of UFO attitudes and highlights the underutilization of data from a 1966 Gallup Poll. Warren aims to conduct a secondary analysis of this poll to support the view that UFO sightings are linked to the societal positions of individuals. The Gallup Poll revealed that 96% of Americans had heard of flying saucers, 5% claimed to have seen one, and about half believed UFOs were real.

Concept of Status Consistency

Warren introduces the concept of status consistency, moving away from traditional Marxist views of social class. He explains that in modern industrial societies, individuals are stratified across multiple, often poorly correlated, hierarchies of status. These include ascribed statuses (like sex, race, age) and achieved statuses (like income, education, job classification). Status inconsistency arises when an individual has different rankings on these various indicators.

Effects of Status Inconsistency

Status inconsistency can lead to a lack of predictable interactions with others and psychological stress, resulting in a state of marginality and social alienation. This alienation can manifest as a rejection of one's own social position and society's evaluations, opening individuals to new definitions of their place in the world. The article suggests that the ambiguity of the UFO phenomenon makes it an appealing outlet for individuals experiencing such feelings, offering an escape from societal pressures without directly threatening their immediate social gains.

The Theory and Empirical Testing

The core hypothesis is that status inconsistents are more likely to report seeing flying saucers. The 1966 Gallup Poll data, which included a representative sample of adults, was used to test this. The analysis involved constructing indices of status levels based on income, education, and occupation. The findings indicated that status inconsistents, as a group, were indeed more likely to report UFO sightings than status-consistent individuals.

Nuances in Findings: Race, Sex, and Education

Further analysis revealed complexities. While the overall sample showed status inconsistents reporting more sightings, this was complicated by race and sex. Women were found to be twice as likely as men to report sightings, regardless of status consistency. The article suggests that women's marginal position in an industrial society contributes to this. For black respondents, status inconsistency was linked to more specific political protest rather than diffuse alienation. The study focused heavily on white males, where achieved status measures were considered more valid. Among white males, sharp inconsistency was strongly correlated with higher UFO reporting rates, particularly in cases of 'underreward' (e.g., high education with low income).

Figures illustrate these findings: Figure 2 shows overall UFO sightings by status consistency. Figure 3 highlights UFO sightings by white males, distinguishing between types of inconsistency. Figure 4 shows UFO sightings by white males based on income levels, indicating that low- to medium-income individuals who are sharply status inconsistent report the most sightings. Figure 5 demonstrates that college-educated white males with sharp inconsistency (low income or occupation) report the highest number of UFO sightings.

Rejection of Establishment Values?

A follow-up question in the Gallup Poll asked respondents what they thought flying saucers were. The analysis revealed that status-inconsistent individuals who reported sightings were significantly more likely to interpret them as extraterrestrial vehicles, compared to status-consistent individuals who offered more conventional explanations (e.g., weather balloons, experimental planes). This supports the argument that UFO sightings by status inconsistents reflect a rejection of established societal values and explanations, albeit in an escapist manner.

Summary and Conclusion

The article concludes that sociological theory can effectively explain phenomena often presumed to be in the domain of physical sciences. The analysis demonstrates a successful application of sociological theory to the complex interplay of quasi-scientific phenomena, scientific knowledge, and human behavior. It emphasizes the need for such approaches in understanding various social data and human behavior.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the application of sociological theory, specifically status inconsistency, to explain UFO sightings. The article advocates for a behavioral science interpretation of phenomena typically relegated to physical sciences or dismissed as fringe. The editorial stance supports the utility of sociological analysis in understanding complex human behavior and perceptions, suggesting that social factors play a significant role in the reporting and interpretation of unusual events like UFO sightings.