Suchergebnisse

After Sputnik I data on the opinions of the US public were collected but in the absence of a summarization of findings in the literature, the diff's between the actual PO & that expressed in the mass media & by the 'issue-makers' have not been studied. Moreover, it is hoped that a review of the studies made will indicate the desirability of using the predictable space events of the future as an occasion to design before-after studies which would add to knowledge of the relation between events & att's. The several studies made indicate: (1) before Sputnik less than half of a nat'l sample of Americans had ever heard of plans to launch a space satellite, (2) that the event had a relatively low salience for Americans, (3) opinions as to the general signif of the event were relatively slow to crystallize, (4) only 43% of a nat'l sample thought Sputnik had been a serious blow to the US prestige, (5) most thought the US should work harder & concentrate efforts to regain technological leadership in this area. These findings do not indicate unanimous psychol'al shock or nat'l loin girding as many have suggested. Ignorance of satellite plans & the myth of US technological pre-eminence possibly account for the 44% who expressed no surprise at the Russian success. Moreover the general tenor of PO has followed more closely the views expressed by President Eisenhewer than those of Congressional or sci'ific leaders. C. M. Coughenour.