SITUS VARIABLES - COR 074b

     The following definition of the situs variables is taken
from "The Situs Dimension in Occupational Structure," by Richard
T. Morris and Raymond J. Murphy, American Sociological Review,
1959, Vol. 24) No. 2. pp. 231-239.

Abstract

The majority of studies of occupational structure have been
concerned with the vertical (stratification) dimension.
Theoretical and methodological considerations suggest that such
unidimensional analysis is inadequate for many research problems.
Attempts by sociologists and psychologists to employ a second,
"horizontal" dimension are reviewed. A theoretical classification
of situses is proposed, consisting of equally valued functional
categories of occupations. A pilot study of the empirical situs
placement of selected occupations is reported. The utility of
situs analysis is discussed and illustrative hypotheses are
presented concerning occupational role and social mobility.
(p.231)

...A stratum is a category of individuals or positions placed
above or below other categories in a hierarchical rank order
based upon differential, comparative evaluation. A situs...is a
category of individuals or positions placed on a level with other
categories, all of which are given the same evaluation. (p.233)

...Occupational situses are categories of work which are
differentiated in some way but are not invidiously compared. The
comparison of professionals with unskilled workers is a stratum
distinction. The comparison of sales occupations with those in
manufacturing is a situs distinction, to the degree that they, as
categories, are given equal evaluation. (p.233)

DEFINITION OF CIVILIAN OCCUPATIONAL SITUSES

Legal Authority - All occupations primarily concerned with the
         formulation, arbitration, interpretation, or enforcement 
         of the law, including those primarily concerned with the 
         custody of law-breakers.

Finance and Records - All occupations primarily concerned with 
         the handling of monetary affairs or the processing of 
         records, accounts, or correspondence,

Manufacturing - All occupations primarily concerned with the      
         fabrication of articles or the processing of raw 
         materials on a production-line basis.

Transportation - All occupations primarily concerned with the     
         movement of persons or goods from one location to 
         another.

Extraction - All occupations primarily concerned with the         
         extraction, procurement, or production of raw materials.

Building and Maintenance - All occupations primarily concerned    
         with the construction of buildings or other non-mass     
         produced units, or the installation, maintenance, or 
         repair of equipment, property or facilities

Commerce - All occupations primarily concerned with the buying,   
         selling, exchange, or marketing of goods or persons.

Arts and Entertainment - All occupations primarily concerned with 
         the creation of art forms or with the provision of       
         entertainment recreation, information, or aesthetic 
         satisfaction for the public.

Education and Research - All occupations primarily concerned with 
         formal instruction or training or with the acquisition   
         of knowledge as an end in itself.

Health and Welfare - All occupations primarily concerned with the
         detection, prevention, or alleviation of illness, 
         hazard, or distress.  (pp.236-237)

...the military occupations are not included in this
classification because they constitute a separate occupational
structure with distinctive mobility patterns, income
distribution, authority relations, and so on. It would appear,
however, that many of the situses listed above could be applied
to the military occupational structure. Illegal occupations form
another separate and distinctive structure, which is not
considered here. (p.237)