The field study used the revised Likert scales and remixed the poles of the semantic differentials to test the attitudes of 311 students at SDSU. A pre-test/ post-test procedure was used to administer the tests. Four groups were tested representing students according to experience level with Spanish language classrooms. The students were tested at different time during the spring semester of the 1990 school year.
The data were analyzed using a two tailed t-test.
Both the qualitative and the quantitative data support hypothesis 2 and hypothesis 3. The border exerts an influence on attitudes toward Spanish-speakers. In addition, the word "Mexican" is interpreted differently (Less positively) than the more generalized term "Spanish-speaker". Moreover, the reactions to the semantic differential items about the target language speaker are evidence of the emotional charge inherent in even considering the subject of "Mexican." Respondents were very aware of negative stereotypes.