Question

Tendency of the subject to agree with items irrespective of their content is called:

• A. Acquiescence
• B. Halo effect
• C. Social desirability
• D. Extreme response bias

Hint:

To avoid acquiescence bias in surveys, researchers often use a mix of positively and negatively worded items. This forces the respondent to read the items carefully instead of just agreeing with everything.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question concerns response biases, which are systematic inclinations to answer test or survey items based on factors other than the items' specific content.

Acquiescence: The inclination to agree with statements ("yea-saying") or disagree with statements ("nay-saying") irrespective of their content.
Halo effect: A cognitive bias where a general impression of an individual influences perceptions of their specific characteristics.
Social desirability: The tendency to respond in a manner perceived favorably by others.
Extreme response bias: The inclination to select only the most extreme options on a rating scale (e.g., "strongly agree" or "strongly disagree").
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The definition provided in the question, "to agree with items irrespective of their content," accurately defines the acquiescence response bias. For instance, an individual exhibiting this bias might agree with both "I am an outgoing person" and "I prefer to spend time alone."
Step 3: Final Answer:
This tendency is termed Acquiescence.