Computer Administration of Questions: More Desirable or More Social Desirability?

Investigated the effect of computer vs. paper-and-pencil administration on 2 components of socially desirable responding (SDR), impression management (IM), and self-deception (SD). Ss' degree of anonymity was also manipulated. Independent variables were expected to affect only IM scores, with the computer anonymous condition resulting in the least amount of IM. Results indicated that IM and SD scores were influenced by main effects of both administration and anonymity manipulations. In contrast to previous research, computer administration produced the greatest amount of IM. The findings are discussed relative to results reported by Martin and Nagao (1989) on the impact of computer administration of interviews and recent research on the dimensions of SDR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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