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Key TakeawaysSocial desirability bias refers to the urge to respond in a societally acceptable way.Individuals tend to over-report societally acceptable behaviors and under-report societally unacceptable behaviors in sexual behavior research.Given how social desirability bias may skew responses, researchers should include a measure of social desirability and take that into consideration in data analysis.
Key Takeaways
Social desirability bias refers to the urge to respond in a societally acceptable way.Individuals tend to over-report societally acceptable behaviors and under-report societally unacceptable behaviors in sexual behavior research.Given how social desirability bias may skew responses, researchers should include a measure of social desirability and take that into consideration in data analysis.
There are pros and cons to relying onself-reportin the process of gathering data. Now, a recently published study inArchives of Sexual Behaviourfound that the need to respond in a culturally appropriate manner may skew sexual behavior research.
Social desirability bias refers to the need individuals feel to respond in a manner that is considered societally acceptable, which may apply to over-reporting of societally acceptable behaviors and under-reporting of societally unacceptable behaviors in sexual behavior research.
How Social Desirability Bias Works
Social desirability bias refers to the need to respond in a way that is deemed societally acceptable, even if it’s anonymous, and a review of sexual behavior research found that it may alter self-reported results that cannot be factually checked.
Given the impact of social desirability bias on sexual behavior responses, King recommends that researchers include a measure of social desirability, which can be taken into consideration when analyzing the responses.
Playing the Game of Respectability Politics, But At What Cost?
Social Desirability Can Become Problematic
Therapist,Meagan Turner, MA, APC, NCC, says, “While social desirability bias can complicate objective research, it also helps to establish cultural norms and values that “polite society” often dictates.”
Turner explains, “Everyone wants to be perceived well. We all want to be liked, loved, known for our true selves and accepted anyway, and to be treated as equals in society.”
Out of these desires to be liked despite behaviors, feelings, motivations, or other potentially “unacceptable” qualities, Turner notes that socially desirable behaviors are born. “When these behaviors do not align with society, we often feel guilt, embarrassment, or shame,” she says.
Turner highlights, “When social desirability bias gets in the way of you being able to live congruent with your own values, it can become problematic. For instance, social desirability bias around gender norms can create conflict with how society tells us we should act.”
Meagan Turner, MA, APC, NCCSocial desirability bias does not just show up in research about sexual behaviors but also in studies relating to food or caloric intake, height, weight, and other cultural norms that society values.
Meagan Turner, MA, APC, NCC
Social desirability bias does not just show up in research about sexual behaviors but also in studies relating to food or caloric intake, height, weight, and other cultural norms that society values.
Turner explains, “Examining your own values, how important various beliefs and ideals are to you, will help you see what you find essential in friendships, relationships, coworkers, and others in your life.”
By making informed decisions based on your own values, Turner notes it can increase your own self-confidence in your choices and decrease the need to perform in a way that is acceptable to others.
When acting in a way that aligns with your own wants, needs, and moral compass, Turner highlights that processing experiences that bring up uncomfortable feelings may help you realize what influences your decision to act in a socially desirable way that feels incongruent to who you are.
Turner explains, “Social desirability bias does not just show up in research about sexual behaviors but also in studies relating to food or caloric intake, height, weight, and other cultural norms that society values.”
The research highlights the need to have some sort of accountability for responses to mitigate the bias, as Turner reiterates the possibility of corroborating answers via polygraph or against medical records.
How Social Desirability Bias May Skew Important Research on Sexual Behaviors
Skewed Research Often Informs Policy
Therapist,Elizabeth Marston, LCSW, says, “This study suggests that, even when given promises of anonymity, people are not able to provide objectively accurate answers to questions regarding sexual behaviors.”
Marston explains, “Generally, people will minimize when there is a sense of embarrassment, guilt, and/or shame. Likewise, if the question is associated with feelings of power, answers seem to be inflated.”
Even when anonymous, Marston notes that what is socially desirable seems to be associated with a heteronormative understanding of sexual behavior and seems to value the sexual experiences of heterosexual men.
Marston highlights, “The fact that this bias exists even in studies where participants are completely anonymous shows that those biases of the general culture shape how we think about ourselves.”
Elizabeth Marston, LCSW
In order to try to reduce social desirability bias from affecting our relationships with others, Marston notes that it is important to understand and examine inherent our own biases and privileges.
While it can be easy to ignore research like this, Marston highlights how our language and reactions may send messages of disapproval or imply a “right” answer that extends beyond such studies.
In this way, Marston highlights how this can become a feedback loop that promotes the biases of a predominantly white male cis heterosexual majority to the detriment of knowing and serving the diversity that exists.
Releasing Oneself and Others From Expectations
Psychoanalyst,Laurie Hollman, PhD, says, “Research suggests that social desirability influences answer to surveys, especially when they are based on topics such as sex, height, weight, and overall health habits and activity.”
Hollman explains, “This research suggests that we perceive socially desirable behaviors as what may be “expected” to be average, rather than what is actually true for the individual.”
Since both over-reporting of desirable behaviors and underreporting of undesirable behaviors can occur, Hollman says, “Continue to remind yourself that your needs are separate from the needs of others.”
Laurie Hollman, PhDHaving more open and honest conversations around this will help to normalize behaviors and minimize the distinction between desirable or undesirable activities and behaviors.
Laurie Hollman, PhD
Having more open and honest conversations around this will help to normalize behaviors and minimize the distinction between desirable or undesirable activities and behaviors.
Hollman highlights, “If the activity or behavior is desirable and fulfilling to you, it does not have to be desirable nor fulfilling for the next person. The same mindset applies to undesirable activities and behaviors.”
While some may have strong likes or dislikes for certain foods, Hollman notes that both parties get to coexist. “I wish that more people openly discussed “taboo topics” such as sexual activity so that the stigmas can be removed and social desirability bias can be significantly reduced,” she says.
Hollman explains, “Having more open and honest conversations around this will help to normalize behaviors and minimize the distinction between desirable or undesirable activities and behaviors.”
What This Means For YouAs the research demonstrates, social desirability bias can skew sexual behavior research. Given that such studies often inform policy decisions, oppressive sexual views may have lasting implications.
What This Means For You
As the research demonstrates, social desirability bias can skew sexual behavior research. Given that such studies often inform policy decisions, oppressive sexual views may have lasting implications.
2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.King B. The Influence of Social Desirability on Sexual Behavior Surveys: A Review.Arch Sex Behav. 2022;51(3):1495-1501. doi:10.1007/s10508-021-02197-0Clark L, Brasseux C, Richmond D, Getson P, D’angelo L.Are adolescents accurate in self-report of frequencies of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancies?.Journal of Adolescent Health. 1997;21(2):91-96. doi:10.1016/s1054-139x(97)00042-6
2 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.King B. The Influence of Social Desirability on Sexual Behavior Surveys: A Review.Arch Sex Behav. 2022;51(3):1495-1501. doi:10.1007/s10508-021-02197-0Clark L, Brasseux C, Richmond D, Getson P, D’angelo L.Are adolescents accurate in self-report of frequencies of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancies?.Journal of Adolescent Health. 1997;21(2):91-96. doi:10.1016/s1054-139x(97)00042-6
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
King B. The Influence of Social Desirability on Sexual Behavior Surveys: A Review.Arch Sex Behav. 2022;51(3):1495-1501. doi:10.1007/s10508-021-02197-0Clark L, Brasseux C, Richmond D, Getson P, D’angelo L.Are adolescents accurate in self-report of frequencies of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancies?.Journal of Adolescent Health. 1997;21(2):91-96. doi:10.1016/s1054-139x(97)00042-6
King B. The Influence of Social Desirability on Sexual Behavior Surveys: A Review.Arch Sex Behav. 2022;51(3):1495-1501. doi:10.1007/s10508-021-02197-0
Clark L, Brasseux C, Richmond D, Getson P, D’angelo L.Are adolescents accurate in self-report of frequencies of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancies?.Journal of Adolescent Health. 1997;21(2):91-96. doi:10.1016/s1054-139x(97)00042-6
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