Avoiding faking in personality inventories is crucial to ensure the validity and reliability of the assessment results.
Faking refers to intentionally distorting responses to present oneself in a more favorable or socially desirable light. Here are several measures to mitigate faking in personality inventories:
1. Response Format and Item Construction:
- Forced Choice Items: Use forced-choice items where respondents must choose between two equally socially desirable options. This reduces the likelihood of faking because there is no clear “right” answer.
- Bipolar Scales: Employ bipolar scales where respondents rate themselves on a continuum between opposing traits or attributes. This format makes it challenging to consistently endorse socially desirable responses without revealing inconsistencies.
2. Warning Statements:
- Instructions: Include clear instructions at the beginning of the inventory emphasizing the importance of honest and accurate responses. Emphasize that there are no right or wrong answers and that the purpose is to understand their true personality.
- Ethical Considerations: Remind participants of the ethical implications of faking, especially in settings where honesty is critical for their personal or professional development.
3. Social Desirability Scales:
- Incorporate Scales: Include social desirability scales within the inventory itself. These scales consist of items that measure the tendency to respond in a socially desirable manner. Responses on these scales can be used to adjust or interpret other responses accordingly.