What effect does “self-report bias” have on survey results?

Self-report bias significantly impacts survey results by distorting true attitudes or behaviors. This phenomenon occurs when individuals provide responses that do not accurately reflect their genuine feelings, beliefs, or actions. Factors such as social desirability, self-deception, or misunderstanding of questions can lead respondents to alter their answers, consciously or unconsciously, to fit a perceived norm or to present themselves in a more favorable light.

For example, in surveys about sensitive topics like substance use or personal relationships, respondents may underreport undesirable behaviors or overreport positive ones due to fear of judgment or a desire to conform to societal expectations. This alteration creates discrepancies between the reported data and the actual attitudes or behaviors of the individuals, ultimately compromising the integrity and validity of the survey results.

Accurate representation of people's true perspectives is crucial for drawing reliable conclusions, informing policy, and guiding research. Therefore, recognizing and addressing self-report bias is vital for researchers and practitioners who rely on survey data for insights into psychological phenomena or behavior trends.