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1968: Now here is something different. We have questions on other things besides politics. ALL YEARS: Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted, or that you can’t be too careful in dealing with people?
Most people can be trusted or can't be too careful · Asked in 13 waves, 1964–2008 · 20,151 responses · weighted estimates computed from individual responses
Codes that include 'no Pre/Post IW' were dropped for respondents without that interview. Dropped only in years where the codebook names a design split (alternate form, half sample, abbreviated or web instrument): 0 in 1972, 2008. Kept and flagged: 0 (no_answer), 9 (dk). Codebook notes: 1996 NOTE: This question was asked in both the Pre and Post; Pre data are used here. 2008 NOTE: This question was administered to a random half sample of respondents (verion ‘G’); the remaining respondents were administered an alternative version of the question (version ‘H’). 2012: This question was not asked comparably in 2012.
Shares of people who gave an answer. Each column is one wave, evenly spaced rather than to scale in time; hover for exact shares.
| Group | Can’t be too careful | Most people can be trusted | n | MoE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All respondents | 65% | 35% |
| Poll | Field dates | Mode | Respondents | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANES 2008 Time Series Study Source variable: V083092a. | 2008-09-02 to 2008-12-30 | face to face | 2,322 | 1,182 |
| ANES 2004 Time Series Study Source variable: V045186. | 2004-09-07 to 2004-12-19 | face to face | 1,212 | 1,066 |
| ANES 2002 Time Series Study Source variable: V025101. | 2002-09-18 to 2002-12-06 | phone | 1,511 | 1,346 |
| ANES 2000 Time Series Study Source variable: V001475. | 2000-09-05 to 2000-12-22 | mixed | 1,807 | 1,555 |
| ANES 1998 Time Series Study Source variable: V980532. | 1998-11-04 to 1998-12-23 | mixed | 1,281 | 1,281 |
| ANES 1996 Time Series Study Source variable: V960567. | 1996-09-03 to 1997-01-02 | mixed | 1,714 | 1,714 |
| ANES 1992 Time Series Study Source variable: V926139. | 1992-09-02 to 1993-01-16 | mixed | 2,485 | 2,255 |
| ANES 1976 Time Series Study |
Shares of people who gave an answer. A group’s column is left blank in waves where its effective sample is under 50; hover for exact shares.
| 1182 |
| ±4 |
| Democrats | 68% | 32% | 504 | ±6 |
| Independents (incl. leaners) | 68% | 32% | 438 | ±6 |
| Republicans | 57% | 43% | 222 | ±8 |
ANES 2008 Time Series Study · US citizens 18+ living in households in the contiguous 48 states. Shares of people who gave an answer. n is unweighted; ± is the 95% margin of error at 50% from the weighted effective sample. Groups with an effective sample under 50 are grayed; under 20, hidden.
| 1976-09-07 to 1977-01-30 |
| face to face |
| 2,248 |
| 1,909 |
| ANES 1974 Time Series Study Source variable: V742400. | 1974-11-06 to 1975-01-31 | face to face | 1,575 | 1,575 |
| ANES 1972 Time Series Study Source variable: V750581. | 1972-09-01 to 1973-02-13 | face to face | 2,705 | 2,179 |
| ANES 1968 Time Series Study Source variable: V680500. | 1968-09-06 to 1969-01-28 | face to face | 1,557 | 1,348 |
| ANES 1966 Time Series Study Source variable: V660136. | 1966-11-08 to 1967-02-01 | face to face | 1,291 | 1,291 |
| ANES 1964 Time Series Study Source variable: V640398. | 1964-09-07 to 1965-02-01 | face to face | 1,571 | 1,450 |