02-28-2012

hdl:1902.5/2952

This survey 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. This type of information is essential for forecasting changes in aggregate consumer behavior. Since the 1940s, these surveys have been produced quarterly through 1977 and monthly thereafter. Each monthly survey probes a different aspect of consumer confidence. Open-ended questions are asked concerning evaluations and expectations about personal finances, employment, price changes, and the national business situation. Additional questions probe buying intentions for automobiles and computers, and the respondent's appraisals of present market conditions for purchasing houses, automobiles, computers, and other durables. Also explored in this survey were respondents' types of savings and financial investments, family income and sources of income, checking account balance, use of automatic teller machines, use of bank debit cards, and patterns of payment on credit cards. Other variables probed respondents' knowledge and use of the Internet, use of a PC at home and in the office, gasoline costs, and ownership, rental, and use of automobiles. Demographic information includes ethnic origin, sex, age, marital status, and education.

University of Michigan. Survey Research Center. Economic Behavior Program., 2012, "Survey of Consumer Attitudes and Behavior, December 1996"

University of Michigan. Survey Research Center. Economic Behavior Program.

Harvard University

SCR:011273

DataVerse

Dataverse Network Project

SCR:001997