The eighth nation-wide social experimental survey

Abstract

5000 men and women in 95 cities and towns were interviewed (1) to perfect opinion poll techniques and (2) to obtain information about certain social trends. Two questionnaires were used, each with half of the sample. The results are presented under 5 headings: (1) The statement of the question influences markedly the answers. "The critical problem is not whether a question is leading but whether it is fair." (2) In respect to postwar jobs, taxes, wages, etc. interviewees were more optimistic in 1942 than in 1941. (3) More interviewees (58%) said religion is gaining influence in U.S. than said so in 1937, 1939, or 1940. (4) After nearly a year at war 76% considered themselves as prosperous as, or more prosperous than, two years ago. Awareness of decrease in prosperity was greatest in the highest income group. Only 30% had figured the income tax to be paid in 1943; persons in the low income groups were not fully aware of the sharp increase in the tax. People were not having much difficulty getting the items they wanted to buy. (5) There was an increase in 1942 over 1941 in the number of persons believing the government can do the best job in straightening things out after the war. The lower income groups showed less faith in business leaders than did higher income groups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)