Social Class, Followed, by Age and Then

Social Class, followed, by Age and then Income seem to show the most significant associations in various entertainment categories, indicating that, in that specific order, these three are the most important categories for expensive restaurants to consider.

Movies seem to be the most relevant in Income, Age, and Life Cycle. Golf is relevant in Income. Bowling in Life Cycle. In-state travel seems to be somewhat (though moderately significant in both Life Cycle and Age. Skiing seems to have minor insignificance in Age alone. Dining at restaurants possesses low to moderate significance and hinges on Age, Income, and Life Cycle. Professional athletic events and Nightclubs are two variables that are significant at the .01 level in Life Cycle in both instances.

Explain the statistical test that is reported.

Warner's Index of Status Characteristics - also known as the Index of Status of Characteristics (ISC) is used in research dealing with consumer behavior in order to assess the socio-economic qualities of the consumers in question. It is an instrument of social class that synthesizes occupation, source of income (not amount), house type and dwelling area into a single weighted index of social class standing.

Still in use today, advanced tests also include the variables of Education, Spouse's Income, and Spouse's Education.

Each of the variables on the ISC is weighted with different digits (4, 3, and 2). To compute the individual's score, each weight is multiplied by person's rating on the corresponding variable. The individual's status on the specific variable (e.g. Income) is then summed up and accorded a digit from 1 ('very high') to 7 ('very low').