The averaged American : surveys, citizens, and the making of a mass public / Sarah E. Igo.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Igo, Sarah E., 1969-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Social surveys--United States--History--20th century.

Social surveys.

National characteristics, American.

Identity (Psychology)--United States.

Identity (Psychology).

United States--Social conditions--20th century.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (408 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press, 2007.

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

supports the death penalty, that half of all marriages end in divorce, and that four out of five prefer a particular brand of toothpaste. But remarkably, such data--now woven into our social fabric--became common currency only in the last century. With a bold and sophisticated analysis, Sarah Igo demonstrates the power of scientific surveys to shape Americans' sense of themselves as individuals, members of communities, and citizens of a nation.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Illustrations

Introduction: America in Aggregate

1. Canvassing a "Typical" Community

2. Middletown Becomes Everytown

3. Polling the Average Populace

4. The Majority Talks Back

5. Surveying Normal Selves

6. The Private Lives of the Public

Epilogue: Statistical Citizens

Notes

Acknowledgments

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 301-378) and index.

ISBN:

9780674038943

0674038940

OCLC:

842267376