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GSS 1972-2024 Cumulative Datafile - Release 3


Need for Inequality

goodlifestandard of living of r will improve
Text of this Question or Item
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?
Percent N Value Label
15.4 4,443 1 strongly agree
44.7 12,882 2 agree
17.3 4,974 3 neither agree nor disagree
18.2 5,243 4 disagree
4.4 1,280 5 strongly disagree


201 .d can't choose


46,605 .i iap


54 .n no answer


17 .s skipped on web

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
incentivpay differences needed for motivation
Text of this Question or Item
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 . . .
Percent 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 .d can't choose


67,282 .i iap


25 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
inequal1extra pay -> people take responsibility
Text of this Question or Item
Do you agree or disagree . . . 
A. People would not want to take extra responsibility at work unless 
they were paid extra for it.
Percent N Value Label
28.0 823 1 strongly agree
46.9 1,380 2 agree
8.3 244 3 neither agree nor disagree
13.9 408 4 disagree
2.9 86 5 strongly disagree


31 .d can't choose


65,838 .i iap


36 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
inequal2extra pay -> workers acquire skills
Text of this Question or Item
Do you agree or disagree . . . 
B. Workers would not bother to get skills and qualifications unless 
they were paid extra for having them.
Percent N Value Label
14.6 220 1 strongly agree
43.7 658 2 agree
14.7 221 3 neither agree nor disagree
23.4 352 4 disagree
3.7 55 5 strongly disagree


29 .d can't choose


67,282 .i iap


29 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
inequal3inequality exists for benefit of rich
Text of this Question or Item
Do you agree or disagree . . . 
C. Inequality continues to exist because it benefits the rich and 
powerful.
Percent N Value Label
19.1 938 1 strongly agree
36.1 1,770 2 agree
21.9 1,076 3 neither agree nor disagree
17.1 839 4 disagree
5.8 286 5 strongly disagree


284 .d can't choose


63,525 .i iap


128 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
inequal4extra pay -> people earn degrees
Text of this Question or Item
Do you agree or disagree . . . 
D. No one would study for years to become a lawyer or doctor unless 
they expected to earn a lot more than ordinary workers.
Percent N Value Label
25.2 683 1 strongly agree
41.2 1,115 2 agree
12.4 336 3 neither agree nor disagree
18.3 495 4 disagree
2.8 77 5 strongly disagree


24 .d can't choose


66,010 .i iap


106 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
inequal5pay differences -> american prosperity
Text of this Question or Item
Do you agree or disagree . . . 
E. Large differences in income are necessary for America''s 
prosperity.
Percent N Value Label
5.0 336 1 strongly agree
19.7 1,318 2 agree
23.5 1,571 3 neither agree nor disagree
35.9 2,400 4 disagree
15.8 1,054 5 strongly disagree


272 .d can't choose


61,745 .i iap


132 .n no answer


18 .s skipped on web


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
inequal6everyone benefits from business profits
Text of this Question or Item
Do you agree or disagree . . . 
F. Allowing business to make good profits is the best way to improve 
everyone''s standard of living.
Percent N Value Label
13.3 603 1 strongly agree
37.1 1,689 2 agree
23.4 1,065 3 neither agree nor disagree
19.9 905 4 disagree
6.3 288 5 strongly disagree


180 .d can't choose


64,051 .i iap


40 .n no answer


25 .s skipped on web


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
inequal7inequality due to lack of solidarity
Text of this Question or Item
Do you agree or disagree . . . 
G. Inequality continues to exist because ordinary people don''t join 
together to get rid of it.
Percent N Value Label
11.0 284 1 strongly agree
36.4 944 2 agree
26.8 694 3 neither agree nor disagree
20.9 541 4 disagree
5.0 129 5 strongly disagree


130 .d can't choose


66,010 .i iap


114 .n no answer


6,853 .y not available in this year

100.0 75,699
Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z

Guessing Job Pay

paymasonhow much r thinks bricklayer makes
Text of this Question or Item
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 this but 
your best guess will be close enough. This may be difficult, but it 
is very important. So please try. nPlease write in how much they 
actually earn  each year. 
A. First, about how much do you think a bricklayer earns?
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 1,000-1,000,000)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
paydochow much r thinks doctor makes
Text of this Question or Item
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 this 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.
B. A doctor in general practice?
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0-50,000,000)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
payclerkhow much r thinks bank clerk makes
Text of this Question or Item
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 this but 
your best guess will be close enough. This may be difficult, but it 
is very important. So please try. nPlease write in how much they 
actually earn  each year. 
C. A bank clerk?
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0-50,000,000)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
payownerhow much r thinks shop owner makes
Text of this Question or Item
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 this but 
your best guess will be close enough. This may be difficult, but it 
is very important. So please try. nPlease write in how much they 
actually earn  each year. 
D. The owner of a small shop?
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 1,000-250,000)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
payexechow much r thinks corporate head makes
Text of this Question or Item
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 this but 
your best guess will be close enough. This may be difficult, but it 
is very important. So please try. nPlease write in how much they 
actually earn  each year. 
E. The chairman of a large national corporation?
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0-99,000,000)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
payskillhow much r thinks skilled worker makes
Text of this Question or Item
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 this but 
your best guess will be close enough. This may be difficult, but it 
is very important. So please try. nPlease write in how much they 
actually earn  each year. 
F. A skilled worker in a factory?
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 1,000-1,000,000)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
payfarmhow much r thinks farm worker makes
Text of this Question or Item
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 this but 
your best guess will be close enough. This may be difficult, but it 
is very important. So please try. nPlease write in how much they 
actually earn  each year. 
G. A farm laborer?
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0-900,000)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
paysechow much r thinks secretary makes
Text of this Question or Item
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 this but 
your best guess will be close enough. This may be difficult, but it 
is very important. So please try. nPlease write in how much they 
actually earn  each year. 
H. A secretary?
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 1,000-1,000,000)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
paybushow much r thinks bus driver makes
Text of this Question or Item
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 this but 
your best guess will be close enough. This may be difficult, but it 
is very important. So please try. nPlease write in how much they 
actually earn  each year. 
I. A city bus driver?
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 1,800-1,000,000)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
payunsklhow much r thinks unskilled wrkr makes
Text of this Question or Item
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 this but 
your best guess will be close enough. This may be difficult, but it 
is very important. So please try. nPlease write in how much they 
actually earn  each year. 
J. An unskilled worker in a factory?
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0-3,500,000)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
paycabnthow much r thinks cabinet member makes
Text of this Question or Item
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 this but 
your best guess will be close enough. This may be difficult, but it 
is very important. So please try. nPlease write in how much they 
actually earn  each year. 
K. A member of the cabinet in the federal government?
Total Cases: 75,699 (Range of valid codes: 0-50,000,000)
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: .d,.i,.j,.m,.n,.p,.r,.s,.u,.x,.y,.z
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