A Note on Sex Differences on the Semantic Differential

One hundred and forty-five male and 129 female university students made Semantic Differential ratings of eight concepts concerned with education on Osgood's evlauation, potency and activity factors (Osgood et al., 1957). In 23 cases out of 24 the women's means were higher than the men's. This held good in 16 cases when the comparisons were restricted to subjects whose ratings were opposite to the general trend. When the activity and potency findings were adjusted for evaluation many of the differences on these two factors were greatly reduced. It is suggested that greater need for social approval rather than greater impulsivity in adult women may account for Semantic Differential sex differences.