In a pilot study undertaken with the students and faculty members at the campus of Eastern New Mexico University, a cross-cultural survey was taken to determine whether levels of physical aggression in childrearing practices varied between cultural groups. Specifically, spanking as a form of discipline was studied among groups of 13 Anglo-Americans, 11 Blacks, 120 Hispanics, 13 Native Americans, and 15 Asians. Results of the survey showed that there were no significant differences with regard to treatment as children or treatment of children--all groups admitted to having been "sometimes spanked" as children and to later also spanking their own children. Where alternatives to spanking were concerned, Native Americans and Asians were least likely to give or withhold rewards to discipline their children, while Hispanics and Asians were the most likely to use shame. Anglo-Americans expressed the highest level of reservation about their actions; Hispanics and Blacks expressed lesser reservations (as did Native Americans), and Asians expressed no reservations. (Author/MP)