Meanings Ascribed to Four Graft Activities before and after Extensive Learning

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the meaning ascribed by occupational therapy students to four craft activities before and after extensive learning. Thirty-five first-year undergraduate students completed Osgood's Semantic Differential questionnaire before and after four workshops in puppetry, woodworking, weaving, and ceramics. The data analysis revealed significant differences before and after learning, especially for puppetry. Significant differences also were found across activities, mainly between weaving and each of the other crafts. Results of an exploratory factor analysis showed evaluation to be the main factor, but inconsistent factorial structure was found in relation to Osgood's other two factors of power and action. This finding should be investigated further because activities may differ from concepts usually studied in the behavioral sciences with this instrument. This study contributes to the data accumulated in occupational therapy to document inherent characteristics of activities and meanings ascribed to them.