Equity, Attribution, and Reactance in Giving and Receiving Gifts of Clothing

Abstract

This study explores equity, attribution, and reactance theories as they relate to giving and receiving gifts of clothing. About 100 each of male and female subjects responded to a set of affective statements written to express the three theories and other aspects of giving and receiving clothing gifts. Factor analyses of responses resulted in four factors for each sex, three of which were similar in content. For each sex, the first factor concerned receiving gifts and incorporated the three theories. The following two factors were concerned with giving gifts, one factor emphasizing the recipient's well-being, the other factor the self-esteem of the giver. Content of the fourth factors differed for males and females. Attribution, equity, and reactance statements did not form separate factors, but were mixed with other statements. Results supported suggestions in the literature that theories overlap in explaining gift-giving behavior. Findings were consistent with others' reports of sex differences in gift-giving behavior and attitudes.

Fabric Hand as Perceived by U.S. and Korean Males and Females

“…Also, the females had larger standard deviations for all 18 adjectives across all &brics; thus the females' responses were also more heterogeneous -more polarized-than those of the males. The response pattern in this research paralleled those reported by Home (1991), Manikowske and Winakor (1991), and Winakor, Canton, and Wolins (1980).…”

“…The U. S. females' responses were also more heterogeneous than those of the males. The response pattern of U. S. males and females in this research was similar to those reported by Winakor, Canton, and Wolins ( 1980), Manikowske and Winakor ( 1991), and Home (1991). However, the response pattern of native Korean speakers was different from that of native English speakers.…”

“…As mentioned, Manikowske and Winakor (1991), Home (1991), and Winakor, Canton, and Wolins (1980) also analyzed their data separately. The models for the analyses using subsamples by sex and country are the following:…”

“…For analysis of variance, Winakor, Canton, and Wolins ( 1980) analyzed their data separately by sex because response patterns of males and females were different. Manikowske and Winakor ( 1991) examined their data separately by sex as well as together. Home ( 1991 ) also analyzed her data separately by husbands and wives and for both together.…”

“…Sample size of the trial was decided based on the standard deviations of similar studies (Lubner-Rupert & Winakor, 1985; unpublished data from Manikowske & Winakor, 1991).…”