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Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding

BIDRThe tendency to respond to questions in a manner that makes oneself look good. Comprises two distinct dimensions: Self-Deceptive Enhancement (SDE) — honest but positively biased self-reports reflecting exaggerated claims of positive attributes; and Impression Management (IM) — deliberate self-presentation to an audience, involving over-reporting of good behaviours and under-reporting of less desirable ones.

40 items 1993 α 0.70–0.86 Free Paulhus, D.L.

What it measures

The standard measure of socially desirable responding used to detect and control response bias in survey research. SDE and IM are empirically independent (uncorrelated two-factor model) — SDE correlates with Extraversion and inversely with Neuroticism; IM correlates more strongly with Agreeableness. Alpha: SDE 0.70–0.82, IM 0.80–0.86. Test-retest (5 weeks): SDE 0.69, IM 0.65. The BIDR correlates strongly with the Crowne-Marlowe Social Desirability Scale (r=0.71). Typically used as a control variable or in studies where demand characteristics are theoretically relevant. Note: the full normed version of the BIDR is available only from Multi-Health Systems; the BIDR Version 6 presented here is the academic reference version.

Representative items

My first impressions of people usually turn out to be right. (SDE)
I am fully in control of my own fate. (SDE)
I never cover up my mistakes. (IM)
I never swear. (IM)
Once I've made up my mind, other people can seldom change my opinion. (SDE)

Citation

Paulhus, D.L. (1993). The Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding: Reference manual for BIDR Version 6. University of British Columbia.

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