The semantic differential technique can be employed by the.sociologist as an attitudinal measure or as a method for acquiring information concerning the emotionally laden areas of social life, The technique, however, requires refinement before being adopted in sociological research. It must first be examined in order to determine if such factors as age, educational level, and sex influence responses on the technique. The present study had such an objective; to ascertain if such factors do indeed influence the tendency to select extreme or polar responses. However, the major aim of the present study was to determine if response selections on the semantic differential support the homogeneity to heterogeneity (undifferentiated to differentiated) shift in psychic structure proposed in the theoretical perspectives of Lewin, Werner and Kaplan, and Piaget.

Data for the present study were obtained from 305 interviews conducted in Roanoke, Virginia. These data revealed that as age increases, there.is a decrease in the tendency to select extreme responses on the semantic differential technique. This finding lends support to the theoretical perspectives of Lewin, Werner and Kaplan, and Piaget. It was also discovered.that there is no significant relationship between educational level and polarity of responses on the semantic differential. Furthermore, there existed no difference in the tendency to select extreme or polar responses between the sexes. These findings lend support to the theoretical perspectives of Lewin, Werner and Kaplan, and Piaget as well as provide further insight into factors which could possibly effect extremeness of responses on the semantic differential technique, This finding lends support to the theoretical perspectives of Lewin, Werner and Kaplan, and PiageL It was also discovered.that there is no significant relationship between educational level and polarity of responses on the semantic differential. Furthermore, there existed no difference in the tendency to select extreme or polar responses between the sexes. These findings lend support to the theoretical perspectives of Lewin, Werner and Kaplan, and Piaget as well as provide further insight into factors which could possibly effect extremeness of responses on the semantic differential technique.