The effect of social desirability on two dimensions of self-evaluation in two cultures.

Abstract

Summary The effect of change in conditions of test administration on self-reported introversion-extraversion and neuroticism was investigated at a North American, Central American, and South American university. Standard conditions, based on standard test norms, were compared with a condition in which S knew that self-report would be compared with reports about him by three well known Ss named by him. Self-reported scores and others' reports agreed with standard test norms on introversion-extraversion, but self-reported neuroticism was significantly higher compared to test norms and others' reports. There were no significant differences between universities. The differential effect on self-reported neuroticism was interpreted in terms of social desirability response set.