Social desirability: definition, important aspects and characteristics
We explain this concept of social psychology.
The human being is a gregarious animal by nature. Since the dawn of their evolution as a species, they have lived together in groups of a more or less large size, although not as large as today's groups, collaborating in the tasks necessary for survival.
All this has led most people to show a special interest in relating to their peers, especially in such critical periods of life as adolescence.
In this article we will deal with the concept of social desirability, which is rooted in this concept.which is rooted in this evolutionary baggage and which is vehemently expressed in multiple areas of life, conditioning our decisions and relationships.
- Recommended article: "What is Social Psychology?"
Concept of social desirability
Social desirability can be understood as a response style, or as a behavioral tendency, in situations where there is a component of judgment by others..
It gathers a series of attributes, thoughts, acts and beliefs that are valued (by the group of belonging) as acceptable; therefore, it derives a reward for its adherence and a sanction (or rejection) for its non-compliance.
Since most human beings wish to show others a favorable image, which often takes the form of masks to hide everything that is perceived as unacceptable, there is pressure to adjust individuality to adapt it to the molds of expectation. Thus, the twists and turns of true identity would only show themselves to people whose bond would guarantee acceptance and validation.
The most intense expression of social desirability would be if we perceive a notable discrepancy between what we believe ourselves to be and what others expect of us, especially when we assign a high positive value to acceptance and a high negative value to rejection.
The importance of this concept is such that it is estimated that it can influence the results of psychological assessment, especially in the field of psychological evaluation.The importance of this concept is such that it is estimated that it can influence the results of psychological assessment, especially in the human resources and clinical fields. For this reason, several authors have included specific scales to detect it within tools that measure constructs such as personality structure or job performance, thereby specifying a margin of error attributable to the need for approval of the evaluee.
Why social desirability exists
The search for affiliation has been the subject of interest in basic psychology as well as in developmental, clinical and social psychology.. Even Abraham Maslow, one of the most important humanists, placed it at the very heart of his popular pyramid of needs (above physiological and security needs, and below personal recognition and self-fulfillment); stressing that, after covering the most basic aspects for survival, social relations would be the last link from which to conquer personal transcendence.
There are currently many studies that highlight the extraordinary negative impact of the absence of affection or affection on human brain development, especially at the moment when there is evidence of a deprivation of basic care for the newborn, whose central nervous system is undergoing an intense maturation process. Unwanted loneliness also has a deleterious effect on old age, increasing morbidity and reducing life expectancy.
Human beings need to collaborate with other members of the same species to cope with the vicissitudes of the environment. Thousands of years ago, when societies lacked a structure as we know it today, communities were made up of small groups of individuals who acted in a coordinated manner to cover individual needs, isolation being an inexorable death sentence (predators, accidents, etc.).
Humans living together enjoyed a greater probability of survival and of giving continuity to their gene pool through reproduction, facilitating the transmission of traits that would stimulate the maintenance of social ties. All this was fostered by cultural components and the attribution of roles, within a society that endowed the individual with a broader sense of belonging.
Thus, social desirability is the result of the confluence of cultural, social, psychological and Biological dimensionswhich stimulate the need to be accepted by reference groups. This reality serves as a foundation for giving meaning to other phenomena observed in social dynamics, from conformism to prosocial behavior.
In the field of psychology, social desirability has also been understood as a confounding variable in the performance of psychometric tests (questionnaires, for example), consisting of the molding of the answers offered by the evaluee with the aim of adopting a position congruent with the prevailing norms or values. This particular bias would therefore be one of the consequences of the desire for acceptance.
In what domains does it manifest itself?
Social desirability has a profound impact in numerous areas of life. In this section we will describe only some of them, although it can be extended to many others.
1. Couple relationships
The first stages of a couple relationship have the purpose of showing the other person all those characteristics that, according to the narrow margins of social expectations, we consider to have a greater interpersonal attractiveness. Thus, a tendency to emphasize all that is positive (such as achievements in the (such as life achievements and the most desirable personality traits), ignoring what might generate resistance in courtship exchanges.
As the relationship progresses and the bond becomes stronger, a commitment to continuity tends to take hold, diluting the fear of rejection. It is at this point that social desirability weakens, revealing the more questionable aspects of what one believes oneself to be. This may be the phase in which there is a greater emotional connection, based on more authentic communication.
2. Prosocial behavior
Prosocial behavior is understood as any deliberate activity that pursues, as a direct consequence, the production of some good for groups or individuals in vulnerable situations. As a result of these acts, a consideration is received.This can be of an economic nature (salary retribution) or social (prestige, consideration or relief from difficult emotions such as guilt or weariness).
This concept differs from altruism in the detail that, in the latter case, no benefits of any kind are associated with the person who develops the helping behavior (neither pecuniary nor of any other nature). The impact of social desirability is of such magnitude that many authors suggest that altruism as such would not be possible, since all selfless behavior would hide the incentive to seek a desirable personal image accepted by the environment.
3. Rejection of social groups
Practically all societies have ostracized other groups of people as unworthy of value, encouraging this discriminatory judgment.This discriminatory judgment is encouraged by cultural and/or religious rigors. A descriptive example of the phenomenon would be the untouchables of India, a group subjected to explicit rejection by their community based on the attribution of particular characteristics that are opposed to what is desirable.
4. Conformism
There is ample evidence that people may be tempted to answer a question by considering in advance the degree of consensus that their own reference group has on the possible answers to it, especially when the environment is ambiguous and there is physical proximity. In this way, the probability of acting wrongly would increase, just because it is the most common thing to do.
The phenomenon has been studied by means of research situations designed for this purpose, the following being a classic example:
A group of people are placed at the same table, all of whom (except one) collaborate with the experimenter. They are shown a straight line of medium length, and then they are asked to choose among three possible options (lines of different lengths) which one is most similar to the one originally shown. The subject evaluated would answer at the end, when the others had consensually indicated one of the wrong options. In a large percentage of cases, the subject would end up choosing the same line and making a mistake..
5. Psychometric biases
Social desirability influences the answers a person gives when questioned in the course of a formal psychological assessment. There are multiple studies that explore this phenomenon and relate it to biases associated with the human factor, and for which specific strategies have been developed to address it. specific strategies aimed at its adequate control have been created..
Social desirability is not the same as lying.
Although the phenomenon may seem to be a perfect alibi for the production of dishonest acts or even lies, this is not the case at all.
Social desirability serves as a pivot for a better understanding of persuasion mechanisms and relationship dynamics. that take place in the social fact, exerting its influence on very different areas of life. It exemplifies, therefore, the way in which group pressure can condition the way in which we express ourselves before others.
Bibliographical references:
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Domínguez, A.C., Aguilera, S., Acosta, T.T., Navarro, G. and Ruiz, Z. (2012). Revalued Social Desirability: more than a Distortion, a Need for Social Approval. Acta de Investigación Psicológica, 2(3), 808-824.
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Salgado, F. (2005). Personality and Social Desirability in Organizational Contexts: Implications for the Practice of Work and Organizational Psychology. Papeles del Psicólogo, 26, 115-128.
(Updated at Apr 13 / 2024)