The General Social Survey (GSS) is one of NORC’s flagship surveys and our longest running project. The GSS started in 1972 and completed its 27th round in 2008. For the last third of a century the GSS has been monitoring societal change and the growing complexity of American society. The GSS is the largest project funded by the Sociology Program of the National Science Foundation. Except for the U.S. Census, the GSS is the most frequently analyzed source of information in the social sciences.
The GSS contains a standard ‘core’ of demographic and attitudinal questions, plus topics of special interest. Many of the core questions have remain unchanged since 1972 to facilitate time trend studies as well as replication of earlier findings. The GSS takes the pulse of America, and is a unique and valuable resource. It is the only survey that has tracked the opinions of Americans over an extended period of time. The GSS is also a major teaching tool. We know of over 14,000 research uses such as articles in academic journals, books, and Ph.D. dissertations based on the GSS and about 400,000 students annually who use it in their classes.
Detailed Study Description here.
GSS Resources
Find links for GSS data, codebooks, and more, here.
International Social Survey Program
Since 1985, the GSS has participated in the International Social Survey Program (ISSP). The ISSP involves social scientists from 45 countries and is still expanding. Each year, sections of the GSS are devoted to ISSP questions that are asked in nations around the world.
Topical Modules
In addition to the core questionnaire, a variety of different individual researchers purchase time in the GSS. Each of these researchers develops a specific series of questions, or topical modules, to include in the GSS. In 2006, the topical modules included questions about attitudes towards science and technology, capitalism, the quality of working life, congregations, language, Internet usage, gun control, mental health, sexual behaviors, and political participation.
Find out how to propose a module for the General Social Survey here.
GSS News
See current and past issues of GSS News.
2010 GSS
The next round of data collection will begin in 2010. In 2010, the GSS will fully implement a combined cross-section and panel design and reinterview a sample of 2006 and 2008 GSS respondents.
FAQ
Answers to your questions about the General Social Survey here.
Visit the GSS Project Page for more information.
Recent GSS Publications
Smith, T.W. 2007. "Job Satisfaction in the United States." Chicago: NORC. 
(95K)
Smith, T.W.
2007. "Trends in National Spending Priorities, 1973-2006." Chicago: NORC.
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178k)
Smith, T.W. 2008. "Loving and Caring in America: Trends and Correlates of Empathy, Altruism, and Related Constructs." In L. Underwood, S. Sprecher and B. Fehr (eds), The Science of Compassionate Love: Research, Theory, and Applications. New York, NY: Blackwell.
Smith, T.W. 2006. "Altruism and Empathy in America: Trends and Correlates." Chicago, IL: NORC. (714K).
Smith, T.W. 2006. "About the General Social Survey." In American Attitudes: What Americans Think About the Issues that Shape Their Lives, 4th edition. Ithaca, NY: New Strategist Publications, Inc.
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