Authors

• Puohiniemi, Martti (Limor Oy)

Keywords

attitudes, computers, consumer behaviour, consumption, entertainment, health, internet, internet use, leisure time activities, listening to music, mass media use, occupational life, reading (activity), social change, values

Abstract

The survey charted Finnish everyday life, values, attitudes, and current phenomena.

First, the respondents were asked about their hobbies and leisure habits. The respondents' values were examined with the 57-item Schwarz Value Survey (SVS).

Next, the respondents were asked how they felt about 100 current issues, such as the European Union, refugee reception, equality, euthanasia and liberalisation of shop opening hours. Working life, work motivation, job satisfaction, characteristics of a good employer and pension issues were also examined. The respondents' experiences of well-being, security, happiness, fears, joys and aspirations were also explored.

The respondents assessed four moral problems and their proposed solutions. These related to basic services and care for the elderly, respect for the religious beliefs of the deceased person, freedom of expression and protection of the individual as well as theft and the China phenomenon.

Changes in the world and society and the direction of change were surveyed with several questions. The respondents were asked, for example, whether they thought there would be positive or negative developments in Finland's national security and economy in the next few years as well as what are the most serious social problems in Finland. The respondents also described themselves as consumers, and assessed the importance of different product and service areas. Opinions on retail were studied. Next, the respondents were asked about their taste in music and literature, as well as how important they thought listening to music and reading books were. The respondents' various areas of interest, such as motoring, politics, art, news, science, childcare and fashion, were surveyed.

The respondents' media use was also charted. Questions included, for example, which newspapers and magazines the respondents read and how often, which TV shows they found most interesting, and how often they watched TV or listened to the radio. Additionally, the respondents were asked whether they currently used or were planning on purchasing or acquiring various electronic devices or services (e.g. a digital TV, laptop, PC, mobile phone, or modem access to the internet), how well they thought they could use a computer and a mobile phone, and how often, on which devices and for what purposes they used the internet.

Next, the respondents' views on current phenomena were charted with various statements on matters such as new technology, following the news, Finland joining NATO, the internet, internationalism, and commercialism. The respondents were also asked about traffic, road safety, driving licences, driving and traffic offences. Finally, the respondents' views on health, equality, age perceptions, friends, family and religion were investigated.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, age, marital status, level of education, job title, economic activity and occupational status, type of municipal of residence, household size, number of children aged under 18 living in the household, income of the household, and job title of the second parent/guardian of the children.