1972-1994 General Social Survey Cumulative File
goodlife STANDARD OF LIVING OF R WILL IMPROVE
The way things are in America, people like me and my
family have a good chance of improving our standard of
living -- do you agree or disagree?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
15.0 445 1 STRONGLY AGREE
52.0 1548 2 AGREE
15.0 447 3 NEITHER
15.2 452 4 DISAGREE
2.8 84 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
56 8 CANT CHOOSE
32 9 NA
29316 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2353
incentiv PAY DIFFERENCES NEEDED FOR MOTIVATION
Some people earn a lot of money while others do not
earn very much at all. In order to get people to work
hard, do you think large differences in pay are...
PCT N VALUE LABEL
20.7 302 1 ABSOLUTELY NECCESSARY
52.0 759 2 PROBABLY NECCESSARY
20.6 301 3 PROBABLY NOT NECC
6.6 97 4 DEFINITELY NOT NECC
80 8 CANT CHOOSE
25 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 4
Input location: 1/2354
inequal1 EXTRA PAY -> PEOPLE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
Do you agree or disagree: A. People would not want to
take extra responsibility at work unless they were
paid extra for it.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
19.6 297 1 STRONGLY AGREE
51.9 788 2 AGREE
11.2 170 3 NEITHER
15.4 234 4 DISAGREE
2.0 30 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
17 8 CANT CHOOSE
28 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2355
inequal2 EXTRA PAY -> WORKERS ACQUIRE SKILLS
B. Workers would not bother to get skills and
qualifications unless they were paid extra for having
them.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
14.6 220 1 STRONGLY AGREE
43.7 658 2 AGREE
14.7 221 3 NEITHER
23.4 352 4 DISAGREE
3.7 55 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
29 8 CANT CHOOSE
29 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2356
inequal3 INEQUALITY EXISTS FOR BENEFIT OF RICH
C. Inequality continues to exist because it benefits
the rich and powerful.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
15.3 218 1 STRONGLY AGREE
35.9 511 2 AGREE
26.6 379 3 NEITHER
18.1 258 4 DISAGREE
4.1 59 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
103 8 CANT CHOOSE
36 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2357
inequal4 EXTRA PAY -> PEOPLE EARN DEGREES
D. No one would study for years to become a lawyer or
doctor unless they expected to earn a lot more than
ordinary workers.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
27.6 419 1 STRONGLY AGREE
42.3 643 2 AGREE
10.9 165 3 NEITHER
17.1 260 4 DISAGREE
2.1 32 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
12 8 CANT CHOOSE
33 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2358
inequal5 PAY DIFFERENCES -> AMERICAN PROSPERITY
E. Large differences in income are necessary for
America's prosperity.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
7.0 102 1 STRONGLY AGREE
27.0 394 2 AGREE
28.7 419 3 NEITHER
31.4 458 4 DISAGREE
5.8 85 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
66 8 CANT CHOOSE
40 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2359
inequal6 EVERYONE BENEFITS FROM BUSINESS PROFITS
F. Allowing business to make good profits is the best
way to improve everyone's standard of living.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
10.6 156 1 STRONGLY AGREE
37.5 554 2 AGREE
23.4 345 3 NEITHER
24.3 359 4 DISAGREE
4.3 63 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
57 8 CANT CHOOSE
30 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2360
inequal7 INEQUALITY DUE TO LACK OF SOLIDARITY
G. Inequality continues to exist because ordinary
people don't join together to get rid of it.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
11.0 159 1 STRONGLY AGREE
36.8 534 2 AGREE
25.8 375 3 NEITHER
22.6 328 4 DISAGREE
3.9 56 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
79 8 CANT CHOOSE
33 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2361
paymason HOW MUCH R THINKS BRICKLAYER MAKES
We would like to know what you think people in these
jobs actually earn. Please write in how much you think
they usually earn, each year, before taxes. Many
people are not exactly sure about his but your best
guess will be close enough. This may be difficult, but
it is very important. So please try. Please write in
how much they actually earn each year. A. First, about
how much do you think a bricklayer earns?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1000 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999996
Input location: 1/2362-2367
paydoc HOW MUCH R THINKS DOCTOR MAKES
B. A doctor in general practice?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 2000 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999996
Input location: 1/2368-2373
payclerk HOW MUCH R THINKS BANK CLERK MAKES
C. A bank clerk?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1000 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999996
Input location: 1/2374-2379
payowner HOW MUCH R THINKS SHOP OWNER MAKES
D. The owner of a small shop?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1000 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 250000
Input location: 1/2380-2385
payexec HOW MUCH R THINKS CORPORATE HEAD MAKES
E. The chairman of a large national corporation?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 2000 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999996
Input location: 1/2386-2391
payskill HOW MUCH R THINKS SKILLED WORKER MAKES
F. A skilled worker in a factory?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1000 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 900000
Input location: 1/2392-2397
payfarm HOW MUCH R THINKS FARM WORKER MAKES
G. A farm laborer?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 0 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 900000
Input location: 1/2398-2403
paysec HOW MUCH R THINKS SECRETARY MAKES
H. A secretary?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1000 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999996
Input location: 1/2404-2409
paybus HOW MUCH R THINKS BUS DRIVER MAKES
I. A city bus driver?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1800 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999996
Input location: 1/2415-2420
payunskl HOW MUCH R THINKS UNSKILLED WRKR MAKES
J. An unskilled worker in a factory?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 900 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999996
Input location: 1/2421-2426
paycabnt HOW MUCH R THINKS CABINET MEMBER MAKES
K. A member of the cabinet in the federal government?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 2600 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999996
Input location: 1/2427-2432
givmason HOW MUCH OUGHT MASON MAKE?
Next, what do you think people in these jobs ought to
be paid -- how much do you think they should earn each
year before taxes, regardless of what they actually
get? Please write in how much they should earn each
year. A. First, about how much do you think a
bricklayer should earn?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1000 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999996
Input location: 1/2433-2438
givdoc HOW MUCH OUGHT DOCTOR MAKE?
B. A doctor in general practice?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 3000 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999996
Input location: 1/2439-2444
givclerk HOW MUCH OUGHT BANK CLERK MAKE?
C. A bank clerk?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1000 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999994
Input location: 1/2445-2450
givowner HOW MUCH OUGHT SHOP OWNER MAKE?
D. The owner of a small shop?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 2000 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999993
Input location: 1/2451-2456
givexec HOW MUCH OUGHT CORPORATE HEAD MAKE?
E. The chairman of a large national corporation?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 200 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999996
Input location: 1/2457-2462
givskill HOW MUCH OUGHT SKILLED WORKER MAKE?
F. A skilled worker in a factory?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1000 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999996
Input location: 1/2463-2468
givfarm HOW MUCH OUGHT FARM WORKER MAKE?
G. A farm laborer?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1000 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999993
Input location: 1/2469-2474
givsec HOW MUCH OUGHT SECRETARY MAKE?
H. A secretary?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1000 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999994
Input location: 1/2475-2480
givbus HOW MUCH OUGHT BUS DRIVER MAKE?
I. A city bus driver?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1000 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999994
Input location: 1/2481-2486
givunskl HOW MUCH OUGHT UNSKILLED WORKER MAKE?
J. An unskilled worker in a factory?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 0 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999994
Input location: 1/2487-2492
givcabnt HOW MUCH OUGHT CABINET MEMBER MAKE?
K. A member of the cabinet in the federal government?
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 0 MD Codes: none
Decimals: 0 Max: 999996
Input location: 1/2493-2498
incgap INCOME DIFFERENTIALS IN USA TOO BIG
Do you agree or disagree. A. Differences in income in
America are too large.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
16.4 244 1 STRONGLY AGREE
42.7 636 2 AGREE
21.7 324 3 NEITHER
16.1 240 4 DISAGREE
3.1 46 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
50 8 CANT CHOOSE
24 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2499
goveqinc GOVMNT SHOULD REDUCE INC DIFFERENTIALS
B. It is the responsibility of the government to
reduce differences in income between people with high
incomes and those with low incomes.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
8.5 126 1 STRONGLY AGREE
24.3 360 2 AGREE
23.4 347 3 NEITHER
33.0 490 4 DISAGREE
10.8 161 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
49 8 CANT CHOOSE
31 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2500
govedop GOVMNT SHOULD HELP POOR ATTEND COLLEGE
C. The government should provide more chances for
children from poor families to go to college.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
26.9 410 1 STRONGLY AGREE
51.4 783 2 AGREE
11.2 170 3 NEITHER
8.9 136 4 DISAGREE
1.6 24 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
12 8 CANT CHOOSE
29 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2501
govjobs GOVMNT SHOULD PROVIDE JOBS
D. The government should provide a job for everyone
who wants one.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
17.0 256 1 STRONGLY AGREE
32.5 491 2 AGREE
19.4 292 3 NEITHER
22.9 345 4 DISAGREE
8.3 125 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
23 8 CANT CHOOSE
32 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2502
govless GOVMNT SHOULD SPEND LESS ON POOR
E. The government should spend less on benefits for
the poor.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
3.5 52 1 STRONGLY AGREE
13.4 201 2 AGREE
20.5 306 3 NEITHER
44.3 663 4 DISAGREE
18.3 274 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
33 8 CANT CHOOSE
35 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2503
govunemp GOVMNT SHOULD PROVIDE UNEMP BENEFITS
F. The government should provide a decent standard of
living for the unemployed.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
9.1 136 1 STRONGLY AGREE
33.4 500 2 AGREE
25.6 383 3 NEITHER
26.8 400 4 DISAGREE
5.1 76 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
41 8 CANT CHOOSE
28 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2504
govminc GOVMNT SHOULD PROVIDE MINIMUM INCOME
G. The government should provide everyone with a
guaranteed basic income.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
7.2 107 1 STRONGLY AGREE
18.1 268 2 AGREE
21.3 316 3 NEITHER
37.9 562 4 DISAGREE
15.5 230 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
54 8 CANT CHOOSE
27 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2505
taxrich TAXES ON HIGH INCOME PEOPLE TOO HIGH
Generally, how would you describe taxes in America
today...We mean all taxes together, including social
security, income tax, sales tax, and all the rest. A.
First, for those with high incomes, are taxes...
PCT N VALUE LABEL
7.9 114 1 MUCH TOO HIGH
12.0 173 2 TOO HIGH
22.2 319 3 ABOUT RIGHT
38.8 558 4 TOO LOW
19.1 275 5 MUCH TOO LOW
99 8 CANT CHOOSE
26 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2506
taxmid TAXES ON MIDDLE INCOME PEOPLE TOO HIGH
B. Next, for those with middle incomes, are taxes...
PCT N VALUE LABEL
17.0 251 1 MUCH TOO HIGH
52.7 777 2 TOO HIGH
27.7 408 3 ABOUT RIGHT
2.4 35 4 TOO LOW
0.3 4 5 MUCH TOO LOW
66 8 CANT CHOOSE
23 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2507
taxpoor TAXES ON LOW INCOME PEOPLE TOO HIGH
C. Lastly, for those with low incomes, are taxes...
PCT N VALUE LABEL
32.6 477 1 MUCH TOO HIGH
39.3 575 2 TOO HIGH
24.1 352 3 ABOUT RIGHT
2.9 43 4 TOO LOW
1.0 15 5 MUCH TOO LOW
75 8 CANT CHOOSE
27 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2508
taxshare SHOULD RICH PAY BIGGER SHARE OF TAXES?
Do you think that people with high incomes should pay
a larger share of their income in taxes than those
with low incomes, the same share, or a smaller
share...
PCT N VALUE LABEL
23.9 347 1 MUCH LARGER SHARE
44.6 648 2 LARGER
29.4 428 3 SAME SHARE
1.7 24 4 SMALLER SHARE
0.5 7 5 MUCH LOWER SHARE
88 8 CANT CHOOSE
22 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2509
conwlth CONFLICT BETWEEN POOR AND RICH IN USA?
In all countries, there are differences or conflicts
between different social groups. In your opinion, in
America, how much conflict is there between: A. Poor
people and rich people?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
18.6 270 1 VERY STRONG CONFLICT
45.3 657 2 STRONG CONFLICT
32.3 468 3 NOT STRONG CONFLICT
3.7 54 4 NO CONFLICT
75 8 CANT CHOOSE
40 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 4
Input location: 1/2510
conclass WORKING AND MIDDLE CLASSES IN CONFLICT?
B. The working class and the middle class?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
4.6 67 1 VERY STRONG CONFLICT
20.9 303 2 STRONG CONFLICT
62.3 901 3 NOT STRONG CONFLICT
12.2 176 4 NO CONFLICT
67 8 CANT CHOOSE
50 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 4
Input location: 1/2511
conjobs EMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYED IN CONFLICT
C. The unemployed and people with jobs?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
11.4 164 1 VERY STRONG CONFLICT
40.2 579 2 STRONG CONFLICT
40.8 588 3 NOT STRONG CONFLICT
7.7 111 4 NO CONFLICT
65 8 CANT CHOOSE
57 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 4
Input location: 1/2512
conunion WORKERS AND MANAGEMENT IN CONFLICT?
D. Management and workers?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
11.6 167 1 VERY STRONG CONFLICT
45.6 655 2 STRONG CONFLICT
39.1 561 3 NOT STRONG CONFLICT
3.7 53 4 NO CONFLICT
74 8 CANT CHOOSE
54 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 4
Input location: 1/2513
conurban FARMERS AND CITY PEOPLE IN CONFLICT?
E. Farmers and city people?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
9.5 135 1 VERY STRONG CONFLICT
30.6 436 2 STRONG CONFLICT
46.9 669 3 NOT STRONG CONFLICT
13.0 185 4 NO CONFLICT
93 8 CANT CHOOSE
46 9 NA
30816 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 4
Input location: 1/2514
1972-1994 General Social Survey Cumulative File