Survey year | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 45% | 50% | 4% | 2% | 15,190 |
Learn More: Does more harm than good, Does more good than harm
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religious group
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say government aid to the poor…
Religious tradition | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buddhist | 28% | 66% | 6% | < 1% | 111 |
Catholic | 48% | 47% | 3% | 1% | 3,428 |
Evangelical Protestant | 54% | 42% | 3% | 2% | 2,407 |
Historically Black Protestant | 27% | 66% | 4% | 2% | 751 |
Jewish | 33% | 60% | 3% | 3% | 414 |
Mainline Protestant | 50% | 45% | 4% | 2% | 2,990 |
Mormon | 60% | 38% | 1% | < 1% | 162 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 41% | 54% | 4% | 2% | 4,142 |
Learn More: Does more harm than good, Does more good than harm
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are ages…
Views about government aid to the poor | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 21% | 36% | 25% | 17% | 6,626 |
Does more good than harm | 25% | 33% | 26% | 16% | 7,472 |
Neither/both equally | 25% | 34% | 26% | 15% | 528 |
Don't know | 20% | 26% | 27% | 27% | 288 |
Generational cohort among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about government aid to the poor | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 13% | 15% | 30% | 30% | 12% | 1% | 6,626 |
Does more good than harm | 15% | 16% | 26% | 32% | 10% | 1% | 7,472 |
Neither/both equally | 12% | 18% | 29% | 31% | 9% | 1% | 528 |
Don't know | 12% | 16% | 19% | 31% | 17% | 6% | 288 |
Gender composition among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about government aid to the poor | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 55% | 45% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 46% | 54% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 51% | 49% | 542 |
Don't know | 45% | 55% | 300 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Views about government aid to the poor | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 75% | 7% | 3% | 12% | 3% | 6,655 |
Does more good than harm | 64% | 14% | 4% | 13% | 4% | 7,511 |
Neither/both equally | 61% | 13% | 5% | 16% | 5% | 528 |
Don't know | 61% | 12% | 5% | 17% | 5% | 289 |
Immigrant status among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about government aid to the poor | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 12% | 10% | 78% | 6,669 |
Does more good than harm | 13% | 11% | 76% | 7,492 |
Neither/both equally | 14% | 11% | 75% | 535 |
Don't know | 18% | 12% | 71% | 292 |
Income distribution among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have a household income of…
Views about government aid to the poor | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 26% | 22% | 30% | 22% | 5,883 |
Does more good than harm | 40% | 20% | 23% | 17% | 6,761 |
Neither/both equally | 39% | 21% | 25% | 14% | 439 |
Don't know | 54% | 20% | 16% | 11% | 220 |
Educational distribution among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have completed…
Views about government aid to the poor | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 44% | 34% | 15% | 7% | 6,718 |
Does more good than harm | 43% | 31% | 16% | 10% | 7,561 |
Neither/both equally | 39% | 33% | 17% | 10% | 535 |
Don't know | 59% | 21% | 14% | 6% | 297 |
Marital status among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about government aid to the poor | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 51% | 8% | 11% | 6% | 23% | 6,712 |
Does more good than harm | 41% | 10% | 15% | 6% | 28% | 7,578 |
Neither/both equally | 42% | 12% | 14% | 6% | 26% | 540 |
Don't know | 40% | 5% | 17% | 17% | 21% | 299 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about government aid to the poor | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 29% | 71% | 6,724 |
Does more good than harm | 28% | 72% | 7,582 |
Neither/both equally | 30% | 70% | 541 |
Don't know | 26% | 74% | 299 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say they…
Views about government aid to the poor | Believe in God; absolutely certain | Believe in God; fairly certain | Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | Believe in God; don't know | Do not believe in God | Other/don't know if they believe in God | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 57% | 26% | 6% | 1% | 8% | 2% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 52% | 25% | 7% | 1% | 13% | 3% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 56% | 21% | 6% | 2% | 10% | 6% | 542 |
Don't know | 57% | 20% | 6% | 5% | 8% | 5% | 300 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say religion is…
Views about government aid to the poor | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 38% | 36% | 15% | 11% | < 1% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 37% | 32% | 16% | 15% | 1% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 39% | 32% | 14% | 14% | 2% | 542 |
Don't know | 50% | 24% | 9% | 12% | 5% | 300 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend religious services…
Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 21% | 41% | 37% | < 1% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 21% | 38% | 41% | < 1% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 23% | 29% | 47% | 1% | 542 |
Don't know | 26% | 32% | 40% | 2% | 300 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who pray…
Views about government aid to the poor | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 43% | 20% | 8% | 28% | 1% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 43% | 17% | 7% | 32% | 1% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 48% | 16% | 7% | 28% | 1% | 542 |
Don't know | 48% | 19% | 7% | 22% | 4% | 300 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend prayer group…
Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 13% | 7% | 8% | 72% | < 1% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 13% | 7% | 8% | 72% | 1% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 15% | 9% | 7% | 68% | 1% | 542 |
Don't know | 15% | 5% | 8% | 69% | 2% | 300 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who meditate…
Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 29% | 8% | 4% | 57% | 1% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 34% | 9% | 5% | 50% | 1% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 36% | 8% | 5% | 49% | 1% | 542 |
Don't know | 43% | 5% | 6% | 42% | 5% | 300 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 48% | 17% | 12% | 22% | 1% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 49% | 17% | 12% | 21% | 1% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 55% | 15% | 10% | 17% | 3% | 542 |
Don't know | 46% | 18% | 10% | 24% | 3% | 300 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 37% | 16% | 14% | 31% | 1% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 42% | 17% | 15% | 25% | 1% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 40% | 18% | 10% | 29% | 3% | 542 |
Don't know | 38% | 19% | 9% | 31% | 3% | 300 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…
Views about government aid to the poor | There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | Right or wrong depends on the situation | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 32% | 66% | 1% | 1% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 19% | 79% | 1% | < 1% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 22% | 72% | 5% | 1% | 542 |
Don't know | 20% | 69% | < 1% | 11% | 300 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who read scripture…
Views about government aid to the poor | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 20% | 10% | 10% | 60% | < 1% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 21% | 11% | 10% | 59% | 1% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 24% | 9% | 7% | 59% | 2% | 542 |
Don't know | 25% | 8% | 5% | 61% | 2% | 300 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say the holy scripture is…
Views about government aid to the poor | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 21% | 31% | 2% | 38% | 7% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 20% | 24% | 1% | 47% | 8% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 17% | 18% | 4% | 40% | 21% | 542 |
Don't know | 22% | 14% | 8% | 30% | 25% | 300 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in heaven
Views about government aid to the poor | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 73% | 20% | 7% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 65% | 28% | 7% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 63% | 23% | 14% | 542 |
Don't know | 62% | 20% | 18% | 300 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in hell
Views about government aid to the poor | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 57% | 35% | 8% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 48% | 44% | 8% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 48% | 38% | 15% | 542 |
Don't know | 40% | 35% | 25% | 300 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Views about government aid to the poor | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 53% | 19% | 29% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 18% | 18% | 64% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 26% | 29% | 44% | 542 |
Don't know | 22% | 42% | 36% | 300 |
Political ideology among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Views about government aid to the poor | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 42% | 36% | 15% | 7% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 19% | 39% | 36% | 6% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 26% | 40% | 21% | 13% | 542 |
Don't know | 24% | 31% | 20% | 25% | 300 |
Views about size of government among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have…
Views about government aid to the poor | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 72% | 25% | 2% | 2% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 35% | 58% | 3% | 4% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 43% | 32% | 15% | 10% | 542 |
Don't know | 36% | 37% | 5% | 22% | 300 |
Views about abortion among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say abortion should be…
Views about government aid to the poor | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 58% | 38% | 4% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 70% | 26% | 4% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 58% | 31% | 11% | 542 |
Don't know | 46% | 34% | 20% | 300 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say homosexuality…
Views about government aid to the poor | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 66% | 27% | 4% | 3% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 78% | 17% | 2% | 2% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 66% | 14% | 13% | 6% | 542 |
Don't know | 56% | 18% | 8% | 17% | 300 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …same-sex marriage
Views about government aid to the poor | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 55% | 37% | 9% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 72% | 22% | 6% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 60% | 25% | 15% | 542 |
Don't know | 47% | 27% | 26% | 300 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…
Views about government aid to the poor | Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 50% | 46% | 2% | 2% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 26% | 70% | 2% | 2% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 25% | 55% | 11% | 8% | 542 |
Don't know | 26% | 45% | 4% | 26% | 300 |
Views about human evolution among adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by views about government aid to the poor
% of adults who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say humans…
Views about government aid to the poor | Evolved; due to natural processes | Evolved; due to God's design | Evolved; don't know how | Always existed in present form | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Does more harm than good | 36% | 27% | 4% | 29% | 3% | 6,745 |
Does more good than harm | 44% | 25% | 4% | 24% | 3% | 7,603 |
Neither/both equally | 33% | 22% | 11% | 23% | 11% | 542 |
Don't know | 24% | 18% | 13% | 20% | 25% | 300 |