AQA GCSE Psychology · 8182
Paper 1, Paper 2
The tendency to give answers that create a favourable impression rather than answers that are truthful.
Revise: Choosing and Evaluating Research MethodsSocial desirability bias occurs when someone gives an answer that makes them look good rather than an accurate answer. For example, a person may overstate how much exercise they do. Anonymous responses and neutral wording can reduce this risk, although they cannot guarantee truthful answers.
- Revise: Obedience
A tendency to give answers that seem socially acceptable rather than answers that accurately reflect a person’s beliefs or behaviour.