Impression management, social desirability, and computer administration of attitude questionnaires: Does the computer make a difference?

Abstract

G. J. Lautenschlager and V. L. Flaherty (1990) unexpectedly found that more socially desirable responding occurred on a computer version of an attitude and personality questionnaire than on a paper-and-pencil version. The present study attempted to replicate and extend their findings in a noncollege environment. Male Navy recruits ( N = 246) completed several questionnaires in either a computer-administered or paper-and-pencil condition and in either an anonymous or identified condition. Identified respondents had higher impression management and self-deceptive enhancement scores than anonymous respondents. Contrary to Lautenschlager and Flaherty's results, however, there was no systematic difference between computer and paper-and-pencil modes. It is concluded that computer and paper-and-pencil modes of administration yield similar responses on attitude questionnaires. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)