A Proposed Use Of The Semantic Differential Technique In Studies Involving Acculturation

Abstract

A simplified plan using the semantic differential technique for identifying some indices of acculturation is presented for cultural anthropologists whose research often entails the need to recognize cultural affiliation differences among Native Americans. This plan is based upon the analyses and results of a study conducted among Devils Lake Sioux teenagers which employed conventional interviewing techniques for discovering cultural affiliation and the semantic differential technique for measuring differences in meaning ascribed to social studies concepts. It was found that the semantic differential technique used alone could indicate cultural affiliation, suggesting that complex interviewing techniques are not always necessary.