Reliability of the Semantic Differential Used by Children: Evaluation of the Evaluative Dimension

Abstract

The present study investigated the reliability of individual bi-polar adjective scales on the semantic differential over a 6-mo. span. Also, the utility of the Evaluative dimension as a reliable measure of “self-concept” was studied with a sample of 459 fifth graders. The concepts, Hurricane, My City, and Myself, were rated on the 19-scale semantic differential. Low but significant test-retest correlations were found on all scales. Factor 1 (Evaluation dimension) seemed moderately reliable over the 6-mo. period. If these results can be generalized to other populations and concepts, it appears that the semantic differential technique can be considered reliable. Also, present findings support the implementation of the semantic differential as a “self-concept” measure.