Directional Questions Direct Self-Conceptions

Kunda, Ziva; Fong, Geoffrey T.; Sanitioso, Rasyid Bo; Reber, Emily

doi:10.1006/jesp.1993.1004

Cited by 107 publications

(75 citation statements)

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“…Our empirical findings concerning confirmation bias were inconclusive, as the regression parameter had a wide confidence interval that came close to but did not include zero in Study 1 and a wide confidence interval centered about zero in Study 2. Kunda et al (1993) showed that the direction of the question (e.g., being extraverted vs. being introverted) made a difference when respondents were able to retrieve information consistent with either position.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reversed item bias: An integrative model.

Weijters

Baumgartner

Schillewaert

2013

Psychological Methods

273

204

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In the recent methodological literature, various models have been proposed to account for the phenomenon that reversed items (defined as items for which respondents' scores have to be recoded in order to make the direction of keying consistent across all items) tend to lead to problematic responses. In this paper we propose an integrative conceptualization of three important sources of reversed item method bias (acquiescence, careless responding, and confirmation bias) and specify a multi-sample confirmatory factor analysis model with two method factors to empirically test the hypothesized mechanisms, using explicit measures of acquiescence and carelessness and experimentally manipulated versions of a questionnaire that varies three item arrangements and the keying direction of the first item measuring the focal construct. We explain the mechanisms, review prior attempts to model reversed item bias, present our new model, and apply it to responses to a four-item self-esteem scale (N = 306) and the six-item Revised Life Orientation Test (N = 595). Based on the literature review and the empirical results, we formulate recommendations on how to use reversed items in questionnaires.Key words: reverse-keyed items, method effects, response styles, survey research, structural equation modeling. 1 Reverse-keyed items are items for which respondents' scores have to be recoded (i.e., reflected about the midpoint of the rating scale) in order for all the items in a multi-item scale to have the same directional relationship with the underlying construct of interest. The use of reverse-keyed items (also called oppositely-keyed, reversed-polarity, reverse-worded, negatively worded, negatively-keyed, keyed-false, or simply reversed items) is sometimes recommended to disrupt non-substantive responding and to enable the detection and control of aberrant response behavior when it occurs (e.g., Nunnally, 1978, Chapter 15;Paulhus, 1991).However, research has shown that reversed items often lead to problems, particularly poor model fit of factor models (e.g., Marsh, 1986). In some cases, the problem is not simply that the model based on the originally hypothesized substantive factor structure is found to be inadequate, but that the lack of fit stimulates the revision of a more parsimonious conceptualization and the specification of additional substantive factors. For example, a unidimensional model in which high and low self-esteem are considered to be opposite poles of a single underlying continuum might be rejected in favor of a model in which separate, correlated factors are posited for positive and negative self-esteem corresponding to regular and reversed items (cf. Horan, DiStefano, & Motl, 2003;Motl & DiStefano, 2002).A variety of models have been proposed to take into account differences in responding to regular and reverse-keyed items and to avoid the mistaken specification of additional substantive factors, including models with method factors or correlated uniquenesses for either the regular or the reversed items ...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reversed item bias: An integrative model.

Weijters

Baumgartner

Schillewaert

2013

Psychological Methods

273

204

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“…This selectively is most observable when the potentially relevant knowledge is rich, complex, and contradictory (Kunda, 1990;Kunda, Fong, Sanitioso, & Reber, 1993). That is, when people have complex enough knowledge structures, the constraints of knowledge (cognition) on motivation will be minimized because people will be able to generate and access motive-consistent information.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

The influence of self‐related goals on the use of stereotypical and individuating information

Sanitioso

Freud

Lee

1996

Euro J Social Psych

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“…This positive affect may drive motivated reasoning, wherein any information that runs counter to the initial impression is ignored, and that which comports with it is absorbed (Redlawsk 2001;Lodge and Taber 2000). Previous work has found that individuals are more likely to make motivated judgments and to search their own memory in a biased way when the content concerns themselves versus others (Kunda et al 1993). This may help explain why homeowners and those in income brackets that allow for home ownership may zero in on the residential nature of Prop.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Paradox of Prop. 13: The Informed Public's Misunderstanding of California's Third Rail

Nalder¹

2010

California Journal of Politics and Policy

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Political science research has long established a list of factors associated with higher levels of political knowledge. Among these are education, income, political attentiveness, voter participation, and age. This analysis, using questions from a 2005 and a 2009 California Field Poll, shows that all of those predictors are associated with not only a lack of accurate understanding, but actual misinformation when it comes to basic comprehension of California's Proposition 13. This is a unique finding, in that misinformation is concentrated among those who ought to be most politically aware. Several possible explanations for this bizarre phenomenon are explored. This is especially interesting, since the misunderstanding persists 31 years after the passage of the landmark tax measure.

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Directional Questions Direct Self-Conceptions

Cited by 107 publications

References 0 publications

Reversed item bias: An integrative model.

Reversed item bias: An integrative model.

The influence of self‐related goals on the use of stereotypical and individuating information

The Paradox of Prop. 13: The Informed Public's Misunderstanding of California's Third Rail

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