Regional and worldwide distributions of several cultural characteristics are presented. Relationships between different cultural variables accounting for regional variation are also discussed. Results show that regional variations are found in most cultural traits.

This article examines cultural variation in alcoholism with a particular focus on the role of imperialist contact. Cultural prohibition of alcohol and child-rearing variables are also considered. Several hypotheses are supported.

This study tests for the cultural customs that are associated with gentle affection for children. It is asserted that identification of the associated customs may indicate the social conditions that are constant with gentle affection for children.

This paper explores sex differences in socialization for boys and girls after describing the worldwide distribution of sex differences in five aspects of socialization; the authors explore conditions that may produce larger differences.

This study examines pairwise differences between similar cultures in order to minimize cultural variation within the SCCS and reveal possible correlates of cultural complexity. Results suggest that one measure of complexity (government above the community level) is significantly associated with several other variables.

This study presents a psychological theory for adolescent initiation ceremonies. Findings support the hypothesis that initiation is a mechanism for maintaining continuity between the stages of childhood and adulthood, when the body is physiologically in discontinuity.

This study examines 12 matched pairs of closely related societies and suggests that there is a relationship between socialization pressure toward compliance (rather than assertion) and emphasis on food production. Results also indicate that stronger compliance training is associated with higher indulgence in infancy and lower frequency of drunkenness in adulthood.

This is a preliminary study of predictors of female contribution to agriculture. Results suggest that several variables are significantly related to female contribution to agriculture rather than one dominant variable.

This article focuses on the relationship between premarital sexual behavior in childhood and adolescence. New measures and ratings of sexual behavior are presented. Findings supp ort the prediction that sexual behavior in childhood correlates with sexual behavior in adolescence in societies where there is an emphasis on continuity from childhood to adolescence.

This article examines the homoarchical custom of hereditary community leadership. Four predictors are identified: (1) permission of premarital heterosexual intercourse by females, (2) small community population, (3) multiple social classes or castes, and (4) praying or violence as a component of community ceremonies. Log linear analysis shows all but the third are significantly associated with hereditary community leadership.