Legislative Behavior Study, 1957

This study surveyed members of the state legislatures of California, New Jersey, Ohio, and Tennessee during the 1957 sessions. The interviews focused on the perceptions and behaviors of state legislators, with special emphasis on their perceptions of the workings of the legislature, the roles and tasks of legislators as well as institutional and party officials, the workings of political parties and pressure groups and their bearing on substantive policy issues, and the influence patterns within the legislature. In addition, the respondents were questioned on their recruitment into politics, their political orientation, perceptions of their job, political motivations and aspirations, and responsibilities toward their party, constituents, and pressure groups.