Survey of Consumer Attitudes and Behavior, Spring 1960

This survey was undertaken to assess consumer sentiment and buying plans, as well as retirement plans, recreational activities, and plans for financing children's education. Open-ended questions were asked concerning evaluations and expectations about price changes, employment, retirement, recession, and the national business situation. Other questions were asked regarding respondents' assessments of their financial status relative to the previous year, their savings, investments and stocks, and the financing of their children's college education. Variables explore respondents' vacation, leisure time, and recreational activities, especially the types of outdoor recreational activities engaged in. 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. Demographic variables provide information on age, sex, race, marital status, education, occupation, and family income.