Comparison of how Two Content Variables are Changed by the Special Format of the Epps

Abstract

This study compares the changes of the two content variables, social desirability (SD) and compatibility-incompatibility (CI), in response to the paired comparisons format of the EPPS, a special format which was intended to minimize the importance of one variable, SD, but not the other. The simple linear SD effect is greatly and consistently reduced. However, the males and females show an increased differential curvilinear response to the reduced SD content. The CI changes are more moderate and selective, generally consisting of increased responsivity to the CI content on the nine compatible needs. The method of analysis of this study occasions a rebuttal to a previous study on SD changes.