Marlowe-Crown Social Desirability Scale

What is the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale?

Survey participants and researchers employ the concept of Social-Desirability Bias to describe the inclination of individuals to answer questions in a manner they perceive as more desirable or favorable according to the norms and expectations of their society and community.

In the context of surveys or questions, a person with a Social-Desirability Bias will respond with answers that may be far from the truth. This stems from the desire to feel accepted and gain approval from others, especially their family, friends, betters, peers, and strangers.

This bias isn't limited to responding disingenuously or dishonestly to questions and surveys. It can manifest in other ways so they can conform to society and culture. Such a bias can negatively impact data. For example, in a clinical setting, a patient has poor health due to unhealthy eating habits, but during the questioning, they downplay this, affecting their check-up results.

David L. Marlowe and Douglas P. Crowne devised the to assess individuals' inclination to portray themselves more favorably, even if it deviates from their true characteristics or beliefs. The scale measures the extent to which individuals feel compelled to present themselves as socially desirable or acceptable.

How to use the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale:

The Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale is a questionnaire with thirty-three items. To use this test, you can do either of the following:

1. You can issue your patients the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale and have them answer it independently.

2. Alternatively, the scale can be employed in an interview format, where individuals are instructed to respond to predetermined statements that align with the test's options, providing answers that accurately reflect their own experiences. Although this approach may require more time, it allows for the opportunity to delve deeper into their socially desirable responses and gain insights into the underlying reasons behind their inclination to maintain Social-Desirability Bias.

Either way, they will answer statements including the following:

• I never hesitate to go out of my way to help someone in trouble.
• I sometimes feel resentful when I don't get my way.
• I am always careful about my manner of dress.
• On a few occasions, I have given up doing something because I thought too little of my ability.
• No matter who I talk to, I'm always a good listener.
• I am always courteous, even to disagreeable people.

They will answer True or False for each item. Scoring will depend on the item. Some items score 1 point for True, while others score 0. Same with False. Refer to the template sample to see which answers score 1 point.

There are score ranges for this, as well as designations:

• Low score (0-8): These people are more willing to respond truthfully to surveys and other similar tests, even if their answers are met with social disapproval.

• Average score (9-19): These people have average social conformity. These people strike a balance when answering specific surveys or tests.

• High score (20-33): These people have a high tendency for social conformity. They tend to answer questions and tests in such a way that they can get social approval and acknowledgment. They tend to avoid social disapproval, even if it means saying things far from the truth.

When is it best to use the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale?

In healthcare, various scenarios exist where utilizing the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale can be particularly advantageous.

For instance, assessing your patients for a specific purpose, such as evaluating their condition or determining treatment options, often involves administering self-report assessments. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of these assessments, it is beneficial first to assist the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. This initial assessment allows you to understand whether your patients tend to provide socially acceptable answers to conform to societal expectations.

Understanding their inclination towards social desirability bias allows you to adjust your expectations accordingly and exercise caution when interpreting their responses in subsequent assessments. Patient responses on assessments hold significant value as they influence examination decisions and treatment plans. Patients not providing the most genuine or accurate answers can impact your decision-making and result in ineffective treatments.

Another scenario where the scale proves helpful is before issuing a survey questionnaire, such as a patient satisfaction survey. In certain instances, individuals may provide inflated ratings on these surveys to appease the organization or the entity conducting the study; even more truthful responses would benefit program improvements, facility enhancements, and related areas.

By administering the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale before the survey, you can gauge whether the respondent tends to exhibit a social desirability bias. This information assists professionals, graduate students, and faculty members conducting survey research in discerning the genuineness of patient satisfaction feedback and aids in accurately assessing areas for improvement.

What are the benefits of using the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale?

It can help healthcare professionals determine if patients deal with sensitive issues.

In various healthcare practices, individuals are expected to face sensitive issues that are often considered socially unacceptable or stigmatized.

In such cases, the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale can assist healthcare professionals in identifying whether patients tend to provide socially acceptable responses to assessments, surveys, and other forms of communication. Professionals can devise effective strategies to foster open and honest patient communication by recognizing this tendency. This approach enables a deeper understanding of the patient's needs, facilitating the development of appropriate interventions and treatment plans.

It can be used to validate self-reported assessments.

As mentioned earlier, it is advisable to administer the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale to patients before conducting a formal self-report assessment. This approach allows for identifying any potential Social-Desirability Bias exhibited by the patients. By being aware of this bias, healthcare professionals can exercise caution when interpreting the results of subsequent assessments and consider alternative methods for validating the information obtained.

Furthermore, healthcare professionals can consider the outcomes of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, engage in discussions with their patients, and create an atmosphere that encourages open communication about their concerns. During these conversations, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of accuracy and honesty in self-reporting to ensure appropriate treatment can be provided.

It can help professionals seek valuable feedback from patients.

By administering the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale to patients, healthcare professionals in clinical psychology or therapy settings can gain insights into which individuals may tend to uphold Social-Desirability Bias. Subsequently, professionals can discuss the scale's results with the patients.

During these discussions, it is essential to emphasize the value of honest patient feedback. Professionals can express their team's genuine interest in receiving accurate input to identify areas of improvement within their practice, recognize genuinely commendable aspects, and pinpoint areas that may require attention. This approach ensures that patient feedback contributes meaningfully to enhancing healthcare services.