Survey responses on affirmative action and increasing diversity on campus vary dramatically depending on how questions are worded and whether they emphasize the goal of diversity or focus explicitly on the issue of preferences. Surveys also suggest that many Americans may not completely understand much of the legal debate and press coverage of the issue. For example, surveys show that Americans have different definitions of what the words "affirmative action" mean and fairly large numbers say they aren't sure. Majorities of Americans say they support programs that offer "assistance" for minorities in college admissions or jobs, but support drops dramatically if the question is reworded to ask about "preferences." Most Americans say it is important for colleges to have a racially diverse student body, and more than half say "affirmative action" in college admissions should continue. At the same time only one in five say they believe that minority representation in higher education would decline if it were eliminated. Strong majorities of African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and whites say college admissions and job promotions should be based "strictly on merit," but minorities are far more likely to say that colleges and employers should make an "extra effort" to recruit qualified minorities.