skip to main content skip to footer

Suspicion of Deception: Implications for Conformity Research NICHD

Author(s):
Jackson, Douglas N.; Messick, Samuel J.; Stricker, Lawrence J.
Publication Year:
1966
Report Number:
RB-66-23
Source:
ETS Research Bulletin
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
79
Subject/Key Words:
National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institute of Mental Health, Conformity, Deception, Personality Measures, Response Style (Tests), Suspiciousness

Abstract

Subjects' suspicions were appraised about two conformity procedures--a simulated-group version of the Asch situation and questionnaires with fictitious norms. Many subjects suspected that the purpose of both procedures was to determine whether their responses would be influenced by others, that they did not hear spontaneous responses by others in the simulated group, and that the normative answers reported on the questionnaires were incorrect. Boys were generally more suspicious than girls. The suspicion variables were highly interrelated for both sexes and, in general, negatively related to conformity measures. Correlates of the suspicion variables included acquiescence and SD response styles, ascendance, self-esteem, and intelligence.

Read More