Social Desirability
The tendency to answer in the way that makes a person look good rather than in the way that is most accurate.
- Ex: A job applicant rates himself higher on conscientiousness than he actually is.
- Ex: A student says she reads every assignment when she reads about half of them.
- Ex: A patient tells her doctor she exercises three times a week when she has not exercised in a month.
Last updated: September 20, 2026 at 10:32 AM