When carrying out researches in the field of psychology and sociology the broad application was found by so-called projective methods. One of tools for studying personal qualities is the personal semantic differential. In this test technique subjective ideas of the examinee of various parties of reality are used that allows to judge the emotional relations and personal installations.
Instruction
1. Prepare test material. The semantic differential represents several scales applied horizontally on one form (questionnaire). Each scale has, as a rule, seven gradation which can be expressed (3, 2, 1, 0, 1, 2, 3) in number or verbally (strongly, so-so, poorly, poorly, so-so, it is strong in any way).
2. Pick up several objects which the examinee should estimate on a seven-ball scale. The choice of objects is defined by many factors, for example, a research objective, age of the examinee, his social status, education level and so on. In advance prepare the concept of a research, having included in concept poll, concerning the object interesting you.
3. Consider for an example creation of the semantic differential reflecting the examinee's attitude towards one of parents (as option - to the literary character). As opposite poles of each scale the concepts characterizing various degree of expressiveness of any given quality are chosen: Kind (3, 2, 1, 0, 1, 2, 3) Angry; Careful (3, 2, 1, 0, 1, 2, 3) Inattentive; Hardworking (3, 2, 1, 0, 1, 2, 3) Lazy; … Honest (3, 2, 1, 0, 1, 2, 3) False.
4. When carrying out a research suggest the examinee to record his assessment, having carried it to a certain pole of a scale. At the same time the examinee needs to note degree of expressiveness of any given quality. The chosen gradation is noted by underlining or is circled. As a result on each scale (line) the mark corresponding to the answer of the examinee has to be given.
5. By results of a research carry out the informative analysis of the received semantic profile or make the generalized picture of the personal relations if group testing was held. The semantic differential is recommended to be used together with other personal techniques as it allows to specify results of more objective receptions of a psychological research. For complex assessment use the multiple-factor personal questionnaire of Kettell and the color Lyushera test in addition to semantic differential.