Subjective Economic Welfare

Anchoring Vignettes for Subjective Economic Welfare

Questions:

  1. Imagine a 6-step ladder where on the bottom, the first step, stand the poorest people, and the highest step, the sixth, stand the rich. On which step are you today?

Response categories:

  1. Step 1
  2. Step 2
  3. Step 3
  4. Step 4
  5. Step 5
  6. Step 6
Vignettes:
  1. Vignette 1: Family A can only afford to eat meat on very special occasions. During the winter months, they are able to partially heat only one room of their home. They cannot afford for children to complete their secondary education because the children must work to help support the family. When the children are able to attend school, they must go in old clothing and worn shoes. There is not enough warm clothing for the family during cold months. The family does not own any farmland, only their household vegetable plot.
  2. Vignette 2: Family B can afford to eat meat only once or twice a week. During winter months, they can heat several rooms, but not the entire house. They cannot afford for all their children to complete secondary education. Their clothing is sufficiently warm, but they own only simple garments. In addition to their household vegetable plot, they own a small plot of poor quality farmland that is distant from their home.
  3. Vignette 3: Family C can afford to eat meat everyday. During the winter months, generally they are able to keep their home warm. They can afford for all their children to complete secondary education. They have sufficient clothing to keep warm in the winter. Their everyday clothing is simple, but they also have some fancy items for special occasions. In addition to their household vegetable plot, they have a larger plot of good quality farmland, not too distant from their home.
  4. Vignette 4: Family D can afford to eat whichever foods they would like, including sweets and imported food. During the winter months, they have no problems with heating and are able to keep their entire house warm. They can afford for all of their children to complete their education, and then to continue at a local university. They are able to afford a variety of fancy traditional clothes and also imported brand clothing. The family owns property, including a good car. The family also has a large farm and acts as landlord to others in their area.