Demand Effects on Positive Response Distortion by Police Officer Applicants on the Revised NEO Personality Inventory

Abstract

Understanding and detecting response distortion is important in the high-demand circumstances of personnel selection. In this article, we describe positive response distortion on the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R; Costa & McCrae, 1992) among police officer applicants under high and low demand conditions. Positive response distortion primarily reflected denial/minimization of Neuroticism and accentuation of traits associated with moralistic bias (Agreeableness and Conscientiousness). Validity of the NEO PI-R research validity scale, Positive Presentation Management, was weakly supported with respect to the Neuroticism domain only. Results will be useful in interpreting personality inventory results in the police personnel selection process.

Dishonest responding or true virtue? A behavioral test of impression management

“…On the other hand, it has been convincingly suggested that most respondents fill in personality questionnaires rather accurately when these are administered under low demand conditions (e.g. Detrick et al, 2010). In combining these arguments, we hypothesized that -under low demand conditions -IM functions like any personality measure, and, in turn, assesses true virtues (especially honesty).…”

“…when there is no obvious reason to present oneself in an overly positive light. Indeed, research on basic personality traits in terms of the Big Five has found that in a high demand situation (applicant testing) respondents tend to ascribe themselves higher levels in socially desirable traits (agreeableness, conscientiousness, and emotionality stability) as compared to a low demand situation (Detrick, Chibnall, & Call, 2010). Also, findings by Pauls and Crost (2005) comprising both the Big Five traits and the BIDR scales suggested that respondents tend to adapt their self-descriptions to the assumed external demands when faking instructions are introduced -as compared to their response behavior in low demand situations.…”

Response Bias, Malingering, and Impression Management

“…Detrick, Chibnall, and Call (2010) showed that the PPM scale performed as expected for a faking good scale in its sensitivity to demand effects. Detrick, Chibnall, and Call (2010) showed that the PPM scale performed as expected for a faking good scale in its sensitivity to demand effects.…”

“…Detrick, Chibnall, and Call (2010) showed that the PPM scale performed as expected for a faking good scale in its sensitivity to demand effects. Detrick et al (2010) also showed that the PPM scale performed as would be expected for a faking good scale. Detrick et al (2010) also showed that the PPM scale performed as would be expected for a faking good scale.…”

Policijos pareigūnų sprendimų priėmimas kritinėmis aplinkybėmis

“…Gauti rezultatai atskleidė, kad pareigūnai aukščiausius įverčius surinko ekstraversijos ir sąmoningumo, o žemiausius -neurotizmo ir atvirumo patyrimui skalėse (p < 0,05). Tokias tendencijas patvirtina ir kitų tyrimų rezultatai (Abrahamsen, 2006;Salters-Pedneault et al, 2010;Detrick et al, 2010;Detrick, Chibnall, 2006). Tai gali būti susiję su policijos pareigūnams keliamais reikalavimais bei jų darbo ypatumais.…”