# Looking back, Americans feel more positive than negative about society in 1946

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/culture/looking-back-americans-feel-more-positive-than-negative-about-society-in-1946/

> Indexed question in Culture.

## Reading

Americans' backward look at society in 1946 tilts favorable, with 43% seeing that era positively and 34% negatively, according to a Verasight survey conducted May 11, 2026. The favorable share includes just 4% who call it very good, the unfavorable 5% who call it very bad.

Nearly a quarter come down on neither side (23%).

## Topline

All things considered, society in 1946 was...

Looking back, Americans feel more positive than negative about society in 1946.

- Somewhat good: 22.9%
- Neither: 22.9%
- Somewhat bad: 17.0%
- Good: 15.8%
- Bad: 12.0%
- Very bad: 5.2%
- Very good: 4.3%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-05-11 → 2026-05-11
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.3%
- Module: society
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-5.2](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-5.2)

## Citation

Verasight SPSP Omnibus Survey #2026-045, fielded May 11-11, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-5.2](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-5.2)