Attributions of the Term Feminist: A Factor Analytic Development of a Measuring Instrument

Abstract

This study attempts to develop a measure of the attributions of the term feminist. Seven hundred and sixty-eight undergraduate students (361 males and 407 females) completed a 91-item semantic differential test relevant to the label feminist. Principal components analysis with orthogonal rotation produced five factors indicating that when the term feminist is used, attributions of General Evaluation, Behavioral Characteristics, Political Orientation, Sexual Preference, and Gender Classification are likely to be made. Factor analysis of split halves of the sample shows an internal replication and, consequently, a stability of the obtained factor structure. This study presents students' judgments on specific items defining these factors, thereby indicating the evaluative associations of the term.