Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding

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.

Response format

7-point scale (1=Not true, 4=Somewhat true, 7=Very true); after reverse coding, 1 point assigned per item rated 6 or 7 by respondent; scores summed separately for SDE and IM (range 0–20 each)

Scale items

Self-Deceptive Enhancement (SDE) — honest but positively biased self-perceptions. 7-point (1=Not true, 4=Somewhat true, 7=Very true). Items marked (R) require reverse coding before scoring.

• My first impressions of people usually turn out to be right.
• It would be hard for me to break any of my bad habits. (R)
• I don't care to know what other people really think of me.
• I have not always been honest with myself. (R)
• I always know why I like things.
• When my emotions are aroused, it biases my thinking. (R)
• Once I've made up my mind, other people can seldom change my opinion.
• I am not a safe driver when I exceed the speed limit. (R)
• I am fully in control of my own fate.
• It's hard for me to shut off a disturbing thought. (R)
• I never regret my decisions.
• I sometimes lose out on things because I can't make up my mind soon enough. (R)
• The reason I vote is because my vote can make a difference.
• My parents were not always fair when they punished me. (R)
• I am a completely rational person.
• I rarely appreciate criticism. (R)
• I am very confident of my judgments.
• I have sometimes doubted my ability as a lover. (R)
• It's all right with me if some people happen to dislike me.
• I don't always know the reasons why I do the things I do. (R)

Impression Management (IM) — deliberate over-reporting of socially desirable behaviours. Same 7-point scale. Items marked (R) require reverse coding.

• I sometimes tell lies if I have to. (R)
• I never cover up my mistakes.
• There have been occasions when I have taken advantage of someone. (R)
• I never swear.
• I sometimes try to get even rather than forgive and forget. (R)
• I always obey laws, even if I'm unlikely to get caught.
• I have said something bad about a friend behind his or her back. (R)
• When I hear people talking privately, I avoid listening.
• I have received too much change from a salesperson without telling him or her. (R)
• I always declare everything at customs.
• When I was young, I sometime stole things. (R)
• I have never dropped litter on the street.
• I sometimes drive faster than the speed limit. (R)
• I never read sexy books or magazines.
• I have done things that I don't tell other people about. (R)
• I never take things that don't belong to me.
• I have taken sick-leave from work or school even though I wasn't really sick. (R)
• I have never damaged a library book or store merchandise without reporting it.
• I have some pretty awful habits. (R)
• I don't gossip about other people's business.

Full scale items shown. Always cite the original source when using this scale in research.

Usage notes & scoring

⚠️ Licensing note: Although items from this scale have appeared in published journal articles, the BIDR is a proprietary instrument published by Multi-Health Systems (MHS). Researchers should verify current licensing requirements with MHS before use in any research context. Scoring: after reverse-coding items marked (R), assign 1 point for any item rated 6 or 7 by the respondent. Sum separately across the 20 SDE and 20 IM items to get SDE score (0–20) and IM score (0–20). The two scores may be combined for an overall socially desirable responding score. Mean scores for honest student sample: SDE M=7.5 males / M=6.8 females; IM M=4.3 males / M=4.9 females. Mean scores for religious adult sample: SDE Mapprox.7.5, IM Mapprox.7–8.9. A 5-point scale version can be used (extreme responses = 5 for SDE, 4 or 5 for IM). Full normed version requires purchase from Multi-Health Systems (mhs.com).

Recommended companion scales

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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