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A statistic—the similarity coefficient—is developed for assessing the property that a set of scale items measures one and only one construct. This statistic is rooted in an explicit measurement model and is flexible enough to be used in exploratory scale analyses, even in small samples. Methods for analyzing similarity coefficients are described and illustrated in analyses of Stimson's (1991) policy mood data and Markus' (1990) popular individualism items. The Appendix discusses the statistical properties of similarity coefficients.

The present study involved analyses of a Caucasian American sample (n=949) and a Japanese American sample (n=400) for factors supporting Genetic Similarity Theory (GST). The analyses found no evidence for the presence of genetic similarity between spouses in either sample for the blood group analyses of nine loci. All results indicated random mating for blood group genes. The results did not provide consistent substantial support to show that spousal similarity is correlated with the degree of genetic component of a trait for a set of seventeen individual differences variables, with only the Caucasian sample yielding significant correlations for this analysis. A third analysis examining the correlation between presence of spousal genetic similarity and spousal similarity on observable traits was not performed because spousal genetic similarity was not observed in either sample. The overall implication of the study is that GST is not supported as an explanation for spousal similarity in humans.

This comment focuses on Campbell's principle of proximal similarity. When considered in the light of related work in various disciplines, the principle has implications that go beyond the generalization of experimental results in preventive intervention research. The generalized principle suggests classification and conceptualization of the settings and people involved in preventive interventive research in terms offuzzy-boundary categories, in contrast to conventional classical or sharp-boundary categories. As such, the generalized principle raises opportunities (1) to use systematic, empirical methods for purposive sampling and other tasks in problem-oriented research, (2) to reconsider the epistemological foundations that shape such research, including the concept of 'science,' and (3) to include subjects with scientists in the mutually reinforcing community that is expected to evolve effective treatments. The principle is applicable to policy research in general.

SummaryIt has been suggested that average genetic similarity, as assessed by blood genetic markers, could influence mate choice in humans. In the present study, average genetic similarity was assessed in 183 couples submitting to paternity determinations in relation to six blood group systems and three HLA loci. Couples in which the putative father was excluded were compared with those in which such exclusion did not occur, and real couples were compared to random pairs. The differences were all statistically non-significant. Possible reasons for the different results found in the previous sample and in the present study are considered.