Changes in individual attitudes toward traditional morality: a 24-year follow-up study

Changes in individual attitudes toward traditional morality are charted by focusing on a sample of 1950 persons from rural Pennsylvania surveyed as high school sophomores in 1947 and again 24 years later when they were in their early 40s. A series of 12 Likert-type items were used to assess traditionalism. In general, the subjects' attitudes changes toward a more permissive stance in regard to questions concerned with adult behavior. Liberalization of attitudes toward the behavior of young people was less pronounced. The direction and degree of change differed markedly among individuals. Frequency of church attendance was closely associated with the amount of change. Those attending church once a week or more were decidedly less likely to change toward a liberal or permissive position than were those who attended less often. Other factors related to amount of liberalization included residence, education, and income.