Self-Presentation Strategies on the Neo-Five Factor Inventory: Implications for Detecting Faking

Abstract

The vulnerability of the NEO-Five Factor Inventory to self-presentation strategies was assessed through manipulation of instructional set. Research participants were randomly assigned to one of five instructional sets including general fake good and bad conditions, a control condition, and two conditions directing participants to produce profiles that would maximize their chances of gaining admission to either the police academy or a graduate program in psychology. Analysis suggested that individuals instructed to fake were able to produce profiles consistent with the instructional sets provided. General fake-good and fake-bad profiles were identified and criteria were developed to detect faking in individual profiles. Caution was suggested when using this inventory in assessment situations in which self-presentation strategic; may be employed.

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