A meta-analysis was conducted to determine the extent to which the computer administration of a measure influences socially desirable responding. Social desirability was defined as consisting of two components: impression management and self-deceptive enhancement. A small but statistically significant effect ( d = -0.08) was found for impression management, with impression management being lower when assessed by computer. Correlational analysis revealed, however, that the strength of the effect of computer administration on impression management appeared to diminish over time such that more recent studies have found small or no effects. Consistent with its conceptualization, reports of self-deceptive enhancement did not differ by testing format. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of how they contribute to the explication of the construct of social desirability and cross-mode equivalence.

The effect of computerized testing on the candidness of self-reports was meta-analytically assessed. The authors proposed that respondents would reveal more embarrassing information when assessed by computer rather than when assessed in person or by paper-and-pencil measures. Results supported the hypothesis that asking questions about sensitive behaviors by computer produced more candid responding as compared with more traditional methods of assessment.

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