Results from 348 (of 986) questionnaires determined consumer response to equal access--the choice of a primary long distance carrier. A model suggests that those consumers who seek information in decision making acquire it through search or experience. (JOW)

Among the 90 papers on topics relating to the consumer are "Academics and Advocates" (Brobeck); "Economic Profile of the Young and Elderly" (Ryscavage); "Estimation of Savings Needs To Adequately Fund Baby Boomers' Retirement" (Burns); "Saving and Dissaving in Retirement" (Hogarth); "Analysis of Effects of Children on Consumption and Savings…

A companion volume to Part I--Summary Report, this volume contains the reports of four committees. Topics are: (1) The Role and Functioning of Consumer Credit (consumer credit and social policy, consumer credit and economic growth, structure of the consumer credit market, the economics of consumer credit, credit revenues, credit costs, and a model…

Examines the jurisdictional activities of the Federal Trade Commission and traces the business and public interest interpretations of the commission in the development of regulatory standards. (MB)

This report discusses consumer and corporate problems associated with product performance and servicing of consumer durables (such as automobiles, large and small appliances, and televisions and phonographs), and outlines action which should be taken by manufacturers, trade and professional associations, and government to assure quality and…

The special consideration given to academics in American higher education creates a relatively closed political environment that increases higher education's resistance to change and diversification. However, since in this system the consumer has recognized rights, more study should be made of the interplay of consumers, academics, and political…

General remarks about the field of product evaluation are followed by comments on leading practitioners such as Consumers Union, road testers, and company product evaluators. The overall situation is one of seriously flawed evaluation methodology, although the best are very useful. (SLD)

Designed for student use in "Codes, Legalities, Consumerism, and Economics," one of 11 courses in a 2-year associate degree program in solar technology, this manual provides readings, bibliographies, and illustrations for seven course modules. The manual, which corresponds to an instructor guide for the same course, contains the…

This module is one of a set of seven prepared in conjunction with the title I "Project to Train Volunteer Leaders to Conduct Consumer Education Courses." It is designed to be a basic text for use in making a one-hour presentation on how to buy goods and services. An accompanying slide set is keyed to the text of the module. (An illustration of…

This paper traces the development of consumer education and of the two closely related areas of the consumer movement and economic education. It is intended for use by graduate students in the three fields, teachers of consumer and economic education, material producers, education administrators, and other policymakers, including government,…

Defines and traces the origins of the consumer movement and uses communication theories to explain the effects of the movement. Available from: Public Relations Review, Ray Hiebert, Dean, College of Journalism, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742. (MH)

Analyzes the cause of the massacre at Colorado's Columbine high school by other students. Considers the incident systemic of opposing tendencies, values, and motives surrounding childhood and the weakening of the power to affect one's surroundings due to the dominance of commercial culture. (JPB)

This booklet summarizes a conference on consumer education which was held for educators, community leaders, program administrators, consumer advocates, and journalists to introduce the principal issues facing consumers and to explore effective program designs and teaching methods and materials. Following a brief executive summary of the conference…

Participation of postsecondary institutions in student consumerism occurs largely because of the broader problem of external pressures on all postsecondary institutions requiring institutional responses. A major source of pressure comes from government regulations for federal student-based aid programs, especially loan programs. These regulations…

Low-income consumers badly need special purchasing skills, due to merchandising practices and greater markups for durable goods in low-income communities. The author discusses some of the ways in which these people are victimized, with implications for consumer education. (MF)