Renewed Conservatism Sweeps the Country in Aftermath of Attacks; Media Habits Change

New York, November 14, 2001:
       Americans have become increasingly conservative in the aftermath of the attacks on America, according to the second wave of Changing American Lives, a study conducted earlier this month by McPheters & Company and Beta Research among a nationally projectable random sample of U.S. adults.

       The study showed that Americans overwhelmingly support tighter restrictions on immigration (84%), and that most (80%) say they are willing to tolerate some loss of privacy in exchange for increased security. Almost 2/3rds believe the news media provides the public with too much information - a significant increase from the first wave conducted a month earlier - while 89% favor federal marshals on airline flights, and 61% are in favor of pilots carrying guns.

       "About a quarter of those polled report that their values have changed as a result of the attacks," said Rebecca McPheters, President of McPheters & Company. When asked how their values have shifted, they say they are more conservative, more cautious, and more conscious of the importance of family.

       Media habits have also changed. More time is being spent watching, reading and listening to news in all forms, and increases have occurred in the amount of time spent with all major media. Newspaper readership has increased disproportionately among younger adults. Additionally, the study found Americans are spending even more time at home and with family now than they did in the weeks immediately following the disaster. Other findings include:

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