On the Accuracy of Retrospective Attitudinal Data

Survey researchers usually assume that retrospective data becomeless accurate with the passage of time between event and interview.Available research focuses on retrospective behavioral data,although the findings may be assumed to generalize to retrospectiveattitudinal data. The present study tests the assumption thatattitudes in the past are recalled less accurately over timeand finds it unwarranted. Data from a national sample surveyshow that people who recall attitudinal information about abureaucratic encounter which occurred 10 or more years in thepast generally showed the same pattern of relationships amongaspects of the encounter as did people who had contacted a governmentagency only two or three months prior to the interview.