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When Perceptions of Social Desirability Differ: Implications for the Multidimensional Nominal Response Model of
Julius David Kleinbub1, Timo Seitz1
1Department of Psychology, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
Applied Psychological Measurement
|June 23, 2026
Summary
The Multidimensional Nominal Response Model (MNRM) effectively reduces bias from faking in self-report questionnaires. It remains robust even when individuals perceive item desirability differently, provided faking aligns with these perceptions.
Area of Science:
- Psychometrics
- Psychological Measurement
- Statistical Modeling
Background:
- Self-report questionnaires are prevalent but susceptible to response biases like faking.
- Faking can severely bias measurements, especially in high-stakes settings such as personnel selection.
- The Multidimensional Nominal Response Model (MNRM) aims to mitigate faking bias by accounting for item-specific social desirability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of heterogeneous social desirability perceptions on the Multidimensional Nominal Response Model (MNRM).
- To assess the MNRM's ability to recover accurate trait parameters when this assumption is violated.
- To examine how misaligned faking behavior affects parameter recovery under varying desirability perceptions.
Main Methods:
- Conducted simulation studies to model violations of the homogeneous desirability perception assumption.
- Implemented three distinct manipulations of heterogeneous desirability perceptions.
- Analyzed the effect of these manipulations on the recovery of substantive trait person parameters using the MNRM.
Main Results:
- The MNRM demonstrated robustness against violations of homogeneous social desirability perceptions when faking aligned with perceived desirability.
- Parameter recovery declined when test-takers' faking behavior was inconsistent with item-wise desirability perceptions.
- The study highlights the importance of the alignment between faking and perceived desirability for accurate measurement.
Conclusions:
- The MNRM is a resilient tool for reducing faking bias in self-report measures.
- Careful consideration of the alignment between individual desirability perceptions and faking strategies is crucial for accurate parameter estimation.
- Findings have implications for the application of the MNRM in personnel selection and other high-stakes assessments.
Keywords:
fakingheterogeneityitem response theorymultidimensional nominal response modelresponse biassimulationMore Related Videos
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