Survey of Consumer Attitudes and Behavior, Summer 1963

This survey of consumer attitudes and expectations includes detailed information on old age insurance and private pension plans and their effect on the functioning of the economy, as well as information on the respondents' actual and expected family size. Questions were asked to help determine how pension plans influenced the attitudes and behavior of people long before their retirement. Open-ended questions were asked concerning evaluations and expectations about price changes, employment, recession, and the national business situation. Additional variables probe respondents' buying intentions for a house, automobiles, appliances, and other consumer durables, as well as respondents' appraisals of present market conditions for purchasing these items. Other variables probe respondents' opinions on a proposed government tax reduction and its effect on business conditions or employment, their own financial status relative to the previous year, and the Cold War between the former Soviet Union and the West. Data are also provided on respondents' house maintenance, total liquid assets, and savings and investments. Demographic variables provide information on age, sex, race, marital status, religion, education, occupation, and family income.