Survey of Consumer Attitudes and Behavior, Spring 1957

This survey was undertaken to assess consumer sentiment and buying plans, as well as travel patterns, use of telephones, attitudes toward various forms of savings, and knowledge of changes in interest rates. Open-ended questions were asked concerning evaluations and expectations about price changes, employment, recession, and the national business and financial situation, as well as the effect of the world political situation on the national business situation. Variables on telephone use provide information on the number of phones in the household, frequency of calls, and arrangements made for phone use if the respondents had no phone. Variables on travels provide information on the number of business and non-business trips made by air, rail, bus, and car, distance of the trip, length of stay, and the advantages and disadvantages of the particular mode of travel. 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 provide information on respondents' perception of their financial well-being and their opinions of future financial prospects. Demographic items specify age, sex, race, marital status, education, occupation, income, home ownership, and length of stay in the community.