The present study compared the factor structures obtained when the same data were factor analyzed: (1) for the total sample (463 fifth grade students) and by sex for collapsed concepts, and (2) by individual concept for the total sample by sex, and for internal and external locus of control groups. (Author/PN)

The semantic differential--one approach to attitude measurement--basically records a combination of a person's associations with a particular concept with a scaling procedure. This paper considers the implications of such a device for teachers of mathematics. (Author/MK)

Two groups of students, one beginning and one completing professional teacher training, were administered a semantic differential, responding to 16 discrete educational terms. Results showed differences in attitude toward the concepts between groups, with beginning students being more positive. Results were discussed in terms of the effectiveness…

Believing that inclass evaluation of material gives the instructor information useful in making decisions about course format and content, illustrations of the semantic differential questionnaire are presented and explained. (ND)

The study evaluates effects of environmental cues of competence (such as diplomas) and the sex of the counselor on perceived expertness. Undergraduate students (N=64) were interviewed and subsequently completed a semantic-differential questionnaire. Results indicate diplomas and awards significantly influence the subject's initial perception of…

Two experiments examined the tendency for people to endorse personality descriptions allegedly derived from personality tests. Subjects were 93 male and female college students. Personal validation appeared to be unaffected by test source and personal versus generalized personality descriptions. The favorability-unfavorabilitty of the descriptions…

The use of a semantic differential measure to investigate the institutional image of Tufts University (Massachusetts), both internal and external, is reported. The study focused on (1) differences between the current and desired image, and (2) differences among alumni, current student, and other constituencies' views of the institution.…

Posits policymakers' and researchers' mutual inability to communicate in compatible language and imagery. Explores several rationales for the divergence between two separate cultures (the academic and the political), referring to an "ecology of games." Illuminates gaps with case material from policymaking in Florida, and develops…

Describes the use of a semantic differential technique to examine semantic meanings, and hence attitudes toward, selected concepts among students and faculty of accredited Northeastern library programs. The results of a 1976 study are compared to the results of recent follow-up studies, and it is concluded that relatively minor changes have…

Male and female participants (N = 274) made judgments about the social concepts of "feminist," "man," and "woman" on 63 semantic differential items. Factor analysis identified three basic dimensions termed evaluative, potency, and activity as well as two secondary factors called expressiveness and sexuality. Results for the evaluative dimension…

People categorized pairs of perceptual stimuli that varied in both category membership and pairwise similarity. Experiments 1 and 2 showed categorization of 1 color of a pair to be reliably contrasted from that of the other. This similarity-based contrast effect occurred only when the context stimulus was relevant for the categorization of the…

Purpose--The study seeks to further explore the hypothesised link between the increase in mobile phone ownership and use and the reported decline in adolescent smoking. Evidence for the link was gathered by examining perceptions of mobile phone use in the context of social identity and adolescent smoking. Design/methodology/approach--The study…

The purpose of this paper is to suggest that the Semantic Differential Technique is an efficient and reliable instrument for measuring attitudes in drug education. Its sensitivity to gradations in attitudes is demonstrated in an actual research study and suggestions for its potential uses in drug education programs are discussed. (Author)

Thirteen Semantic Differential bipolar variables representing various socio-cultural correlates and personality factors of psychoactive drug users as well as non-users were measured from a group of 80 college students and 20 adults. Drug users (n=44) within the last six months differed significantly from non-users in their intention of taking…