Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

An assumption made in using semantic differential measures is that the adjective pairs used are truly bipolar; otherwise, statistical analyses may yield distorted findings. This article examines the 18 bipolar adjective pairs used in Fiedler's Least Preferred Coworker (LPC) instrument by using two scaling techniques and a sample of 113 respondents. To replicate and extend previous research, the 36 LPC adjectives were ranked according to their relative interpersonal favorability. The same sample also scaled the 36 adjectives using Stevens's magnitude estimation technique (MET). Both pair-comparison treatment of complete ranks scaling (under Thurstone's Case III) and the magnitude estimation procedure indicated that true bipolarity did not characterize most of the paired adjectives. Implications for future LPC and semantic differential research are discussed.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bass, B. M. , Cascio, W. J. , & O'Connor, E. J. (1974). Magnitude estimation of expressions of frequency and amount. Journal of Applied Psychology, 34, 313-320.

Fiedler, F. E. , & Chemers, M. M. (1984). Improving leadership effectiveness: The leader match concept (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley.

Fiedler, F. E. , & Garcia, J. E. (1987). New approaches to effective leadership: Cognitive resources and organizational performance. New York: Wiley.

Green, R. F. , & Goldfried, M. R. (1965). On the bipolarity of semantic space. Psychological Monographs, 79(6, Whole No. 599).

Guilford, J. P. (1954). Psychometric methods (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Heise, D. R. (1969). Some methodological issues in semantic differential research. Psychological Bulletin, 72, 406-422.

Messick, S. J. (1957). Metric properties of the semantic differential. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 17, 200-206.

Montgomery, D. C. , & Peck, E. A. (1982). Introduction to linear regression analysis. New York: Wiley.

Mordkoff, A. M. (1965). An empirical test of the functional antinomy of semantic differential scales. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 16, 504-508.

10.

Schriesheim, C. A. , & Gardiner, C. C. (1992). A comparative test of magnitude estimation and pair-comparison treatment of complete ranks for scaling a small number of equal-interval frequency response anchors. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 52, 867-877.

11.

Schriesheim, C. A. , & Kerr, S. (1977). Theories and measures of leadership: A critical appraisal of present and future directions. In J. G. Hunt & L. L. Larson (Eds.), Leadership: The cutting edge. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press.

12.

Schriesheim, C. A. , & Klich, N. R. (1991). Fiedler's least preferred coworker (LPC) instrument: An investigation of its true bipolarity. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 51, 305-315.

13.

Schriesheim, C. A. , & Novelli, L. (1989). A comparative test of the interval-scale properties of magnitude estimation and case III scaling and recommendations for equal-interval frequency response anchors. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 49, 59-74.

14.

Schriesheim, C. A. , & Schriesheim, J. F. (1978). The invariance of anchor points obtained by magnitude estimation and pair-comparison treatment of complete ranks scaling procedures: An empirical comparison and implications for validity of measurement. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 38, 977-983.

15.

Stevens, S. S. (1957). On the psychophysical law. Psychological Review, 64, 153-181.

16.

Stevens, S. S. (1975). Psychophysics. New York: Wiley-Interscience.

17.

Thurstone, L. L. (1931). The measurement of social attitudes. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 26, 249-269.

The Equal-Interval Nature of Semantic Differential Scales: An Empirical Investigation Using Fiedler'S Least Preferred Coworker (Lpc) Scale And Magnitude Estimation and Case Iii Scaling Procedures

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References