DOI: 10.3886/icpsr07481
title: Survey of Consumer Attitudes and Behavior, Summer 1975
title: Archival Version

description: The Survey of Consumer Attitudes and Behavior series (also known as the Surveys of Consumers) 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. The data regularly include the Index of Consumer Sentiment, the Index of Current Economic Conditions, and the Index of Consumer Expectations. This survey was undertaken to assess consumer sentiment and buying plans, as well as to provide information on consumer ideas of social change, the care of physically challenged parents, grandparents, and spouse, and labor unions. Open-ended questions were asked concerning evaluations and expectations about personal finances, employment, recession, price changes, and the national business situation. Additional variables probe respondents' buying intentions for a house, automobiles, appliances, and other consumer durables, and the respondents' appraisals of present market conditions for purchasing houses and other durables. Other variables probe respondents' opinions of their health relative to that of other people of their age group, their financial status relative to the previous year and to that of their parents at a comparable age, their job satisfaction, satisfaction with life in the United States and with treatment from public officials, and the role of government in improving the quality of life of the people. Other topics covered included government support for the rights of Black people, racial desegregation, Black empowerment, causes of crime and lawlessness, and the relative merits of small and standard full-size cars and small foreign and American cars. Data are also provided on respondents' perceptions of violence, policemen, social change, and Black protesters, and their assessment of the relative importance of equality, human dignity, respect for property and the law, freedom, and financial security for self and loved ones. Information is also provided on respondents' political party candidate preference and their self-identified ideological position, membership in unions and professional associations, the effect of the Landrum-Griffin Act on the running of unions, respondents' car ownership and the make and use of it, income tax refunds, and the state of health of respondents' parents, grandparents, and spouse. Demographic variables provide information on respondents' age, sex, race, marital status, education, occupation, employment status, religion, and family income.
description: The purpose of this survey series is to forecast changes in aggregate consumer behavior.
description: One respondent from each family unit in the dwellings sampled, usually the head of the family, or the wife. The dwelling units were selected by area probability sampling from 74 primary sampling units. For each dwelling unit in the sample, an interview was sought with a respondent from the primary family and from each secondary family (if any). The head of the family (usually the husband) was the preferred respondent, but the wife could substitute if the head was not readily available.
description: Datasets: DS1: Survey of Consumer Attitudes and Behavior, Summer 1975
description: All families living in continental United States dwelling units, exclusive of those on military reservations. Smallest Geographic Unit: Primary Sampling Units (PSUs)
description: face-to-face interview; telephone interviewAdditional information on the Surveys of Consumers can be found by visiting the Surveys of Consumers Website.