Survey of Consumer Attitudes and Behavior, December 1997

This survey was undertaken to measure changes in consumer
attitudes and expectations, to understand why such changes occur, and
to evaluate how they relate to consumer decisions to save, borrow, or
make discretionary purchases. This type of information is essential
for forecasting changes in aggregate consumer behavior. Since the
1940s, these surveys have been produced quarterly through 1977 and
monthly thereafter. Each monthly survey probes a different aspect of
consumer confidence. Open-ended questions are asked concerning
evaluations and expectations about personal finances, employment,
price changes, and the national business situation. Additional
questions inquired about buying intentions for automobiles and
computers, and the respondents' appraisals of present market
conditions for purchasing houses, automobiles, computers, and other
durables. Also explored in this survey were respondents' types of
savings and financial investments, family income, and sources of
income. Other questions focused on respondents' use of personal
computers at home and in the office, respondents' familiarity with and
use of the Internet, and respondents' ownership, lease, and use of
automobiles. Demographic information includes ethnic origin, sex,
age, marital status, and education.

本调研旨在衡量消费者态度与预期的变化，探究此类变化的成因，并评估其与消费者储蓄、借贷及可自由支配消费决策之间的关联。此类信息对于预测总体消费者行为的变化至关重要。自20世纪40年代起，本系列调研在1977年之前按季度开展，1977年之后转为月度执行。每期月度调研均聚焦消费者信心的不同维度。调研设置开放式问题，涵盖受访者对个人财务、就业状况、物价变动及国家经济形势的评价与预期。另有部分问题询问受访者的汽车与电脑购买意向，以及其对当前购房、购车、购电脑及其他耐用品市场环境的评价。本次调研还涵盖了受访者的储蓄与金融投资品类、家庭收入及收入来源情况。其余问题则围绕受访者在家中与办公场所使用个人电脑的情况、其对互联网的熟悉程度与使用行为，以及受访者的汽车拥有、租赁与使用状况展开。调研收集的人口统计学信息包括族裔、性别、年龄、婚姻状况与受教育程度。