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Income differences, getting ahead, hard work vs. luck, social class, the American dream, and redistribution.
| Question | Source | Years | Waves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard work versus luck in getting ahead Some people say that people get ahead by their own hard work; others say that lucky breaks or help from other people are more important. Which do you think is most important? | GSS | 1973–2024 | 29 |
| Should government reduce income differences A. Some people think that the government in Washington ought to reduce the income differences between the rich and the poor, perhaps by raising the taxes of wealthy families or by giving income assistance to the poor. Others think that the government should not concern itself with reducing this income difference between the rich and the poor. Here is a card with a scale from 1 to 7. Think of a score of 1 as meaning that the government ought to reduce the income differences between rich and poor, and a score of 7 meaning that the government should not concern itself with reducing income differences. What score between 1 and 7 comes closest to the way you feel? (CIRCLE ONE): | GSS | 1978–2024 | 27 |
| Chance of improving standard of living 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? | GSS | 1987–2024 | 17 |
| Own living standard compared with parents' at same age A. Compared to your parents when they were the age you are now, Do you think your own standard of living now is much better, somewhat better, about the same, somewhat worse, or much worse than theirs was? | GSS | 1994–2024 | 16 |
| Fewer problems if people were treated more equally ‘If people were treated more equally in this country we would have many fewer problems.’ |
| ANES |
| 1984–2024 |
| 15 |
| Children's expected standard of living compared with own B. When your children are at the age you are now, do you think their standard of living will be much better, somewhat better, about the same, somewhat worse, or much worse than yours is now? | GSS | 1994–2024 | 15 |
| Situation of the average man getting worse E. In spite of what some people say, the lot (situation/condition) of the average man is getting worse, not better. | GSS | 1973–1994 | 15 |
| Society should ensure equal opportunity to succeed ‘Our society should do whatever is necessary to make sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.’ | ANES | 1984–2024 | 14 |
| Country better off if we worried less about equality ‘The (2004: This_ country would be better off if we worried less about how equal people are.’ | ANES | 1984–2024 | 14 |
| Not a big problem if some have more chances in life ‘It is not really that big a problem if some people have more of a chance in life than others.’ | ANES | 1984–2024 | 14 |
| Self-ranking of social position HAND SCALE AND PENCIL TO RESPONDENT. LET RESPONDENT MARK SCALE. Be sure that the mark is within one of the boxes. Record answer below. | GSS | 1983–2024 | 13 |
| Big problem that not everyone has an equal chance ‘One of the big problems in this country is that we don’t give everyone an equal chance.’ | ANES | 1984–2012 | 11 |
| Financially better or worse off than parents Think of your parents when they were your age. Would you say you (and your family) are better, the same, or worse off financially than they were? | Fed SHED | 2014–2023 | 10 |
| Government should reduce income differences B. It is the responsibility of the government to reduce the differences in income between people with high incomes and those with low incomes. | GSS | 1987–2021 | 9 |
| Government responsibility to reduce income differences G. Reduce income differences between the rich and poor. | GSS | 1985–2016 | 7 |
| Income differences in America are too large A. Differences in income in America are too large. | GSS | 1987–2021 | 6 |
| Large income differences necessary for national prosperity E. Large differences in income are necessary for America's prosperity. | GSS | 1987–2021 | 5 |
| Degree of change in rich-poor income gap over 20 years Would you say the difference in incomes is) much smaller or somewhat smaller? | ANES | 2004–2020 | 5 |
| Rich-poor income gap compared with 20 years ago Do you think the difference in incomes between rich people and poor people in the United States today is larger, smaller, or about the same as it was 20 years ago? | ANES | 2004–2020 | 5 |
| Likelihood a person's situation is caused by upbringing C. The way (s/he) was raised | GSS | 1996–2024 | 4 |
| Inequality persists because it benefits the rich and powerful C. Inequality continues to exist because it benefits the rich and powerful. | GSS | 1987–2008 | 4 |
| Children's expected living standard, no volunteered option on web When your children are at the age you are now, do you think their standard of living will be much better, somewhat better, about the same, somewhat worse, or much worse than yours is now? | GSS | 2021–2024 | 3 |
| Hard work versus luck in getting ahead (no volunteered option) Some people say that people get ahead by their own hard work; others say that lucky breaks or help from other people are more important. Which do you think is most important? | GSS | 2021–2024 | 3 |
| Hard work versus luck in getting ahead (volunteered option allowed) Some people say that people get ahead by their own hard work; others say that lucky breaks or help from other people are more important. Which do you think is most important? | GSS | 2021–2024 | 3 |
| Children's expected living standard, volunteered option on web When your children are at the age you are now, do you think their standard of living will be much better, somewhat better, about the same, somewhat worse, or much worse than yours is now? | GSS | 2021–2024 | 3 |
| What a general practice doctor ought to earn B. A doctor in general practice? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 3 |
| What a large corporation chairman ought to earn E. The chairman of a large national corporation? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 3 |
| What a cabinet member ought to earn K. A member of the cabinet in the federal government? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 3 |
| Fair annual pay for an unskilled factory worker J. An unskilled worker in a factory? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 3 |
| Importance of knowing the right people to get ahead G. Knowing the right people? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 3 |
| Importance of a wealthy family for getting ahead A. First, how important is coming from a wealthy family? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 3 |
| Conflict between poor and rich people A. Poor people and rich people? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 3 |
| Estimated yearly earnings of a large corporation chairman E. The chairman of a large national corporation? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 3 |
| Estimated yearly earnings of a general practice doctor B. A doctor in general practice? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 3 |
| Conflict between working and middle classes B. The working class and the middle class? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 3 |
| Estimated yearly earnings of a cabinet member K. A member of the cabinet in the federal government? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 3 |
| Estimated yearly earnings of an unskilled factory worker J. An unskilled worker in a factory? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 3 |
| Likelihood situation was caused by upbringing E. In your opinion, how likely is it that (John/Mary)'s situation MIGHT be caused by the way he or she was raised? | GSS | 2002–2024 | 2 |
| Importance of job responsibility in deciding pay A How much responsibility goes with the job"how important do you think that ought to be in deciding pay? | GSS | 2000–2021 | 2 |
| Importance of hard work for getting ahead F. Hard work -- how important is that for getting ahead in life? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 2 |
| Type of society America ought to be What do you think America ought to be like - which would you prefer? | GSS | 2000–2021 | 2 |
| Type of society America is today These five diagrams show different types of society. Please read the descriptions and look at the diagrams and decide which you think best describes America today. . . | GSS | 2000–2021 | 2 |
| Importance of good education for getting ahead C. Having a good education yourself? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 2 |
| Importance of political connections for getting ahead H. Having political connections? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 2 |
| Estimated yearly earnings of a bank clerk C. A bank clerk? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 2 |
| What a bank clerk ought to earn C. A bank clerk? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 2 |
| Importance of education and training in deciding pay B. The number of year spent in education and training? | GSS | 2000–2021 | 2 |
| Importance of doing the job well in deciding pay F. How well he or she does the job (how important should that be)? | GSS | 2000–2021 | 2 |
| Importance of religion for getting ahead J. A person's religion? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 2 |
| Importance of well-educated parents for getting ahead B. Having well educated parents? | GSS | 1987–2021 | 2 |
| Fairness of the rich buying better health care A. Buy better health care than people with lower incomes | GSS | 2000–2021 | 2 |
| Fairness of the rich buying better education B. Buy better education for their children than people with lower incomes? | GSS | 2000–2021 | 2 |
| Importance of having children to support in deciding pay E. Whether the person has children to support (how important should that be in deciding pay)? | GSS | 2000–2021 | 2 |
| Estimated yearly earnings of a skilled factory worker F. A skilled worker in a factory? | GSS | 1987–2000 | 2 |
| Inequality persists because ordinary people don't unite G. Inequality continues to exist because ordinary people don't join together to get rid of it. | GSS | 1987–2000 | 2 |
| Fair annual pay for a skilled factory worker F. A skilled worker in a factory? | GSS | 1987–2000 | 2 |
| What a small shop owner ought to earn D. The owner of a small shop? | GSS | 1987–2000 | 2 |
| People need high pay to study for demanding professions D. No one would study for years to become a lawyer or doctor unless they expected to earn a lot more than ordinary workers. | GSS | 1987–2000 | 2 |
| We each make our own fate G. We each make our own fate. | GSS | 1991–1998 | 2 |
| People need extra pay to take on responsibility A. People would not want to take extra responsibility at work unless they were paid extra for it. | GSS | 1987–1996 | 2 |
| Government should reduce income differences It is the responsibility of the government to reduce the differences in income between people with high incomes and those with low incomes. | GSS | 1985–1990 | 2 |
| Government responsibility to reduce income differences Thinking about the situation in America. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It should be the government’s responsibility to reduce income differences between the rich and the poor. | GSS | 2024 | 1 |
| Government should reduce income differences, 2021 version To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? It is the responsibility of the government to reduce the differences in income between people with high incomes and those with low incomes. | GSS | 2021 | 1 |
| Private companies should reduce pay differences It is the responsibility of private companies to reduce the differences in pay between their employees with high pay and those with low pay. | GSS | 2021 | 1 |
| Importance of giving bribes for getting ahead For each of these, please tell (CATIFILL3) how important you think it is for getting ahead in life ...how important is giving bribes? | GSS | 2021 | 1 |
| Self-ranking of social position, 2021 In our society there are groups which tend to be towards the top and groups which tend to be towards the bottom. On the handcard is a scale that runs from top to bottom. Where would you put yourself now on this scale? | GSS | 2021 | 1 |
| Who should reduce income differences From the following list, who do you think should have the greatest responsibility for reducing differences in income between people with high incomes and people with low incomes? | GSS | 2021 | 1 |
| Companies should reduce pay differences between employees Think of a score of 1 as meaning that major companies ought to reduce the pay differences between employees with high pay and those with low pay, and a score of 7 meaning that major companies should not concern themselves with reducing pay differences. | GSS | 2021 | 1 |
| Expected social rank ten years from now And thinking ahead 10 years from now, where do you think you will be on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is the top and 10 the bottom? | GSS | 2021 | 1 |
| Anger about wealth differences between rich and poor How do you feel when you think about differences in wealth between the rich and the poor in America? | GSS | 2021 | 1 |
| Social rank of family at age 16 In our society there are groups which tend to be towards the top and groups which tend to be towards the bottom. (CATI TEXT: On the handcard is ) (WEB TEXT: Below is ) a scale that runs from top to bottom.) If you think about the family that you grew up in, where did they fit in then? | GSS | 2021 | 1 |
| Frequency of contact with much poorer people How often do you have any contact with people who are a lot poorer than you when you are out and about? This might be in the street, on public transport, in shops, in your neighborhood, or at your workplace. | GSS | 2021 | 1 |
| Frequency of contact with much richer people How often do you have any contact with people who are a lot richer than you when you are out and about? This might be in the street, on public transport, in shops, in your neighborhood, or at your workplace. | GSS | 2021 | 1 |
| Fairness of the income distribution in America How fair or unfair do you think the income distribution is in America? | GSS | 2021 | 1 |
| Government success in reducing income differences How successful do you think the government in America is nowadays in reducing the differences in income between people with high incomes and people with low incomes? | GSS | 2021 | 1 |
| Fair society requires small differences in living standards For a society to be fair, differences in people's standards of living should be small. | GSS | 2018 | 1 |
| Self-placement on ladder of where people stand in the U.S. Imagine a ladder showing where people stand in the United States. At the top are people who are the best off. At the bottom are people who are the worst off. Where would you place yourself on this ladder? | Fed SHED | 2018 | 1 |
| Next generation's expected finances compared with own Think about the next generation of your family (e.g. your children, nieces, nephews, etc.). When they are your age, do you think that they will be better off, the same, or worse off financially than you are today? | Fed SHED | 2014 | 1 |
| Most important reason people get ahead Which do you think is the most important reason why people get ahead: their own hard work or lucky breaks and help from other people? | GSS | 2006 | 1 |
| Estimated yearly earnings of a lawyer L. A lawyer? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Fair annual pay for people in own occupation P. People in your occupation - about how much ought they earn? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Importance of supporting a family in deciding pay D. What is needed to support a family? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Social rank ten years ago B. And ten years ago, where did you fit in then? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Fair annual pay for a department store salesclerk M. A salesclerk in a department store? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| What a large factory owner ought to earn N. The owner-manager of a large factory? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Conflict between top and bottom of society F. People at the top of society and people at the bottom? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Estimated yearly earnings of a large factory owner N. The owner-manager of a large factory? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Estimated yearly earnings of a department store salesclerk M. A salesclerk in a department store? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Acceptable for some to be rich while others are poor Please tell me whether you strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement: In a free society, it is all right if a few people accumulate a lot of wealth and property while many others live in poverty. | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Social rank of corporate chairmen C. The chairman of a large national corporation? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Own family's rank in society A. Where would you say you and your family actually are - at the top, somewhere in the middle, or toward the bottom? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Social rank of unskilled factory workers B. Where would you say an unskilled worker in a factory fits in? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| People are rewarded for effort in America A. In America people get rewarded for their effort. | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Importance of supervising others in deciding pay C. Whether the job requires supervising others (how important should that be in deciding pay)? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| What a Supreme Court justice ought to earn O. A Supreme Court Justice? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Whether respondent's earnings are deserved Would you say that you earn: | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| People are rewarded for intelligence and skills in America B. In America people get rewarded for their intelligence and skills. | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Importance of hard work in deciding pay G. How hard he or she works at the job? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| What a lawyer ought to earn L. A lawyer? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Estimated yearly earnings of a Supreme Court justice O. A Supreme Court Justice? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Importance of doing the job well in deciding pay A. How well the person does the job? | GSS | 1998 | 1 |
| Importance of education and qualifications in deciding pay C. The person's education and formal qualifications? | GSS | 1998 | 1 |
| Importance of family responsibilities in deciding pay B. The person's family responsibilities? | GSS | 1998 | 1 |
| Good things that happen to me are mostly luck C. The really good things that happen to me are mostly luck. | GSS | 1996 | 1 |
| Most of my problems are due to bad breaks B. Most of my problems are due to bad breaks. | GSS | 1996 | 1 |
| Willpower and hard work as a reason for how life turns out D. Some people use their will power and work harder than others. | GSS | 1993 | 1 |
| Weekly poverty line income for family of four People who have incomes below a certain level can be considered poor. That level is called the "poverty line."What amount of weekly income would you use as a poverty line for a family of four (husband, wife, and two children) in this community? | GSS | 1993 | 1 |
| Promote equal opportunity or equal outcomes Which do you favor: promoting equal opportunity or promoting equal outcomes? | GSS | 1993 | 1 |
| Chance as a reason for how life turns out I'm going to read some statements that give reasons why a person's life turns out well or poorly. (HAND CARD BZ TO RESPONDENT.) As I read each one, tell me whether you think it is very important, important, somewhat important, or not at all important for how somebody's life turns out? E. It's just a matter of chance. | GSS | 1993 | 1 |
| Better genes as a reason for how life turns out B. Some people are born with better genes than others. | GSS | 1993 | 1 |
| Society's head start or holding back as a reason for life outcomes C. Society gives some people a head start and holds others back. | GSS | 1993 | 1 |
| God's decision as a reason for how life turns out A. Such things are decided by God. | GSS | 1993 | 1 |
| Weekly food spending for four-person family at poverty line Now more specifically, thinking about that family of four at the "poverty line," what would you say that family needs to spend each week on food, in this community? | GSS | 1993 | 1 |
| Allow unlimited wealth even if others live in poverty B. People should be allowed to accumulate as much wealth as they can even if some make millions while others live in poverty. | GSS | 1993 | 1 |
| Weekly poverty line income for family of three And finally, what amount of weekly income would you use as a "poverty line" for a family of three, made up of a woman and two children, in this community? | GSS | 1993 | 1 |
| Lack of effort as a cause of poverty D. Lack of effort by the poor themselves | GSS | 1990 | 1 |
| Loose morals and drunkenness as a cause of poverty B. Loose morals and drunkenness | GSS | 1990 | 1 |
| No one would study for years without high pay C. No one would study for years to become a lawyer or doctor unless they expected to earn a lot more than ordinary workers | GSS | 1990 | 1 |
| Country does not give everyone an equal chance D. One of the big problems in this country is that we don't give everyone an equal chance | GSS | 1990 | 1 |
| Large income differences needed as incentive A. Only if differences in income are large enough is there an incentive for individual effort | GSS | 1990 | 1 |
| Everyone should get what they need for a decent life B. Personal income should not be determined solely by one's work. Rather, everybody should get what he/she needs to provide a decent life to his/her family. | GSS | 1990 | 1 |
| Poor schools as a cause of poverty A. Failure of society to provide good schools for many Americans | GSS | 1990 | 1 |
| People divided into the weak and the strong C. People can be divided into two classes--the weak and the strong | GSS | 1990 | 1 |
| Too few jobs as a cause of poverty C. Failure of industry to provide enough jobs | GSS | 1990 | 1 |
| Importance of standard pay rate for same work D. The standard rate, giving both employees the same pay | GSS | 1989 | 1 |
| What a city bus driver ought to earn I. A city bus driver? | GSS | 1987 | 1 |
| What a bricklayer ought to earn A. First, about how much do you think a bricklayer should earn? | GSS | 1987 | 1 |
| Importance of region of origin for getting ahead K. The part of the country a person comes from? | GSS | 1987 | 1 |
| Estimated yearly earnings of a city bus driver I. A city bus driver? | GSS | 1987 | 1 |
| Importance of natural ability for getting ahead E. Natural ability? -- how important is that? | GSS | 1987 | 1 |
| Estimated yearly earnings of a bricklayer A. First, about how much do you think a bricklayer earns? | GSS | 1987 | 1 |
| Estimated yearly earnings of a farm laborer G. A farm laborer? | GSS | 1987 | 1 |
| Need for large pay differences to motivate work 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 . . . | GSS | 1987 | 1 |
| Workers need extra pay to acquire skills B. Workers would not bother to get skills and qualifications unless they were paid extra for having them. | GSS | 1987 | 1 |
| Importance of ambition for getting ahead D. Ambition? -- how important is that? | GSS | 1987 | 1 |
| Estimated yearly earnings of a small shop owner D. The owner of a small shop? | GSS | 1987 | 1 |
| Importance of political beliefs for getting ahead M. A person's political beliefs? | GSS | 1987 | 1 |
| Estimated yearly earnings of a secretary H. A secretary? | GSS | 1987 | 1 |
| What a farm laborer ought to earn G. A farm laborer? | GSS | 1987 | 1 |
| Fair annual pay for a secretary H. A secretary? | GSS | 1987 | 1 |
| Minimum weekly income a family of four needs What is the smallest amount of money a family of four (husband, wife and two children) needs each week to get along in this community? | GSS | 1986 | 1 |
| Family background determines success in America C. In America what you achieve in life depends largely on your family background. | GSS | 1985 | 1 |
| Professional's child has better chance of getting ahead B. A person whose father is a professional has much better chance of getting ahead in life than a person whose father is a factory worker. | GSS | 1985 | 1 |
| Rich parents give child better chance to earn money A. A person whose parents are rich has a better chance of earning a lot of money than a person whose parents are poor. | GSS | 1985 | 1 |
| Achievement depends on family background B. In the United States there are still great differences between social levels, and what one can achieve in life depends mainly upon one's family background. | GSS | 1984 | 1 |
| Everyone must look out for themselves A. In our society everyone must look out for himself. It is of little use to unite with others and fight for one's goals in politics or in unions. | GSS | 1984 | 1 |
| Getting ahead depends little on own efforts D. What one gets in life hardly depends at all on one's own efforts, but rather on the economic situation, job opportunities, union agreements, and the social services provided by the government. | GSS | 1984 | 1 |
| Traditional class divisions between owners and workers remain A. In the United States traditional divisions between owners and workers still remain. A person's social standing depends upon whether he/she belongs to the upper or lower class. | GSS | 1984 | 1 |
| High social position reflects special abilities H. If someone has a high social or economic position, that indicates the person has special abilities or great accomplishments. | GSS | 1984 | 1 |
| Social standing differences reflect use of opportunities G. Differences in social standing between people are acceptable because they basically reflect what people made out of the opportunities they had. | GSS | 1984 | 1 |
| Large income differences are needed as an incentive F. Only if differences in income and social standing are large enough is there an incentive for individual effort. | GSS | 1984 | 1 |
| Achievement depends on education and ability, not family C. America has an open society. What one achieves in life no longer depends on one's family background, but on the abilities one has and the education one acquires. | GSS | 1984 | 1 |
| Social differences in the U.S. are justified H. All in all, I think social differences in this country are justified. | GSS | 1984 | 1 |
| Income should be based on need, not only work E. Personal income should not be determined solely by one's work. Rather, everybody should get what he/she needs to provide a decent life for his/her family. | GSS | 1984 | 1 |
| One can live well in America F. All in all, one can live well in America. | GSS | 1984 | 1 |
| Feeling that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer B. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. | GSS | 1978 | 1 |
| Reducing income differences between rich and poor (version Y) B. Some people think that the income differences between the rich and the poor ought to be reduced, perhaps by raisingthe taxes of wealthy families or by giving income assistance to the poor. Others think that the government should not concern itself with reducing this income difference between the rich and the poor. Here is a card with a scale from 1 to 7. Think of a score of 1 as meaning that the government ought to reduce the income differences between rich and poor, and a score of 7 meaning that the government should not concern itself with reducing income differences. What score between 1 and 7 comes closest to the way you feel? (CIRCLE ONE): | GSS | 1978 | 1 |