Abstract
In psychological assessment, we aim for the most accurate description of some cognitive or behavioral attribute. In assessment involving self-reports, this objective is invariably haunted by the possibility of misrepresentation. Certainly we would be sceptical of self-reports of intelligence, perhaps because of its universal desirability. Among the few qualities typically rated as even more desirable than intelligence is having a good personality. Thus it seems dangerous to ignore the possibility that at least some respondents systematically misrepresent their own personality.
Man is what he believes
Chekhov
Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than are lies
Nietzsche
This work was supported by a research grant from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
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Paulhus, D.L. (1986). Self-Deception and Impression Management in Test Responses. In: Angleitner, A., Wiggins, J.S. (eds) Personality Assessment via Questionnaires. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70751-3_8
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