Introduction

Social desirability is conceptualized as one, two- or even more dimensional construct. Existing data suggest that cultural and social differences affect the dimensionality of this construct. As a consequence, the adequate measurement tool is difficult to construct.

Objectives

The aim of this research was to determine the factorial structure of the social desirability in Polish sample and develop culturally fitted measurement instrument.

Design

The inductive strategy was applied in this study, without assuming any structure of social desirability. The initial pool of 169 items was generated and EFA was performed utilizing entire sample of subjects, followed by cross-validation. The data were analyzed in two ways: within and without subject standarization (ipsatization) for controlling of the response style. The second step was dedicated to verification of the model and reduction of the item numbers. Items with the highest factor loadings were selected  and EFA was again performed utilizing a new sample of subjects.

Results

In the first study, two-dimensional structure was obtained on data from 700 people. These dimensions were identified as self-enhancement and denial. Cross-validation confirmed this result. However, the ipsatization of the data resulted in a one-dimensional solution. This factor  (basing on recoded data) was negatively correlated (-0.61) with the first dimension of the two-factor solution and positively (0.66) with the second dimension. Analysing ipsative, non-recoded data, negative correlation with both – first (-0.75) and a second (-0.70) factor was obtained. In the second study, the reduced number of items (50), revealed one factor in the sample of 415 subjects.

Conclusion

Social desirability is one-dimensional construct in Polish population. The self-enhancement and denial are two aspects of one continuum. The distinction of these two dimensions reflects the response style.