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It is often asked if “progress”, as defined by an increase in the level of general economic development, is “real”‐especially for people of lower socioeconomic status (SES). This paper investigated the empirical validity of two hypotheses relevant to this question at early stages of economic development. The controlled field study took place in the lowland Philippines. Data provided clear support for the first hypothesis (H‐1), viz, as the level of community development increases, the rate of material improvement for above average individuals is much greater than that for people in lower SES groups. Still, however, things do improve for lower SES people with economic development. Further, the improvements tend to make them express more contentment and economic optimism than their more traditional counterparts (H‐2B), although these data failed to support this belief to the degree they supported H‐1.

This paper presents a quantitative description of the volume required to use common hand tools. The volume described, termed the “space envelope”, is for the tool using hand of right-handed subjects. The data were collected on six individuals who had hands at or above the 95th percentile of the military population in length and breadth. The data were obtained by use of a photographic process employing time exposures for each action. This technique provided data comparable to that provided by movie techniques but at a lower cost. The implications of the data for maintenance requirements are also discussed.

Two alternative hypotheses of the psychological impact of planned social change in the lowland Philippines were investigated. (1) Planned social change produces social reinforcement which leads to a more content population; or (2) it leads to a cycle of rising expectations which outstrip actual accomplishment, the result of which is dissatisfaction and hostility-especially among young people. Results in general favored the social reinforcement hypothesis. Efforts aimed at increasing a community's level of development tend to produce more modern value systems and increased general contentment. However, they also tend to produce a greater emphasis upon the local government to continue to meet the needs of people.