Survey of Consumer Attitudes and Behavior, Spring 1962

This survey was undertaken to assess consumer sentiment and buying plans, as well as the effect of attitudes toward expected Social Security benefits, old age insurance, and private pension plans on present economic behavior and planning, and attitudes toward West Germany, family planning, and different modes of travel. Open-ended questions were asked concerning evaluations and expectations about price changes, employment, recession, and the national business situation, as well as the effect of the world political situation on the national business situation. Other variables probe respondents' buying intentions for a house, automobiles, appliances, and other consumer durables, as well as their appraisals of present market conditions for purchasing these items. Additional variables probe respondents' attitudes toward foreign-made goods, as well as their assessment of their financial status relative to the previous year. Information is also provided on respondents' political party identification and neighborhood characteristics. Demographic variables provide information on age, race, sex, religion, education, marital status, occupation, family size, and family income.