Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MCSD)

Abstract

The Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MCSD), developed by Crowne and Marlowe in 1960, was originally constructed to provide a measure of the Social Desirability Response (SDR) set in self-reports. The scale was designed to overcome the limitations of prior measures, such as the Edwards scale, by focusing on ordinary personal and interpersonal behaviors rather than items laden with psychopathology. The final instrument consists of 33 True/False items, refined from an initial pool of fifty through rigorous item analysis and judge ratings.

The 33 items describe either desirable but statistically uncommon behaviors (e.g., admitting mistakes) or undesirable but common behaviors (e.g., gossiping). Scores range from 0 to 33, where higher scores reflect a greater tendency toward socially desirable responding. Although initially conceived as an SDR measure, subsequent research by the authors characterized the construct as a more general motivational factor, the need for approval, which was later refined to the avoidance of disapproval.

Keywords

Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, MCSD, social desirability, impression management, need for approval, psychological assessment, personality, SDR, avoidance of disapproval.

Authors

Douglas P. Crowne, David Marlowe.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the MCSD is to assess an individual’s tendency to present themselves favorably during psychological assessment, thereby quantifying the influence of social desirability response sets on self-report data. The instrument was developed to be independent of psychopathology, focusing instead on behaviors reflecting adherence to or deviation from cultural norms.

Beyond its initial role as a methodological measure, the scale also serves to assess a stable personality trait related to dependency on external validation. This underlying motivational construct, initially termed the need for approval, has often been interpreted as measuring the tendency toward evaluative dependence or the avoidance of social disapproval, providing clinical and theoretical utility beyond mere response bias correction.

Construct

The psychological construct measured by the MCSD has undergone conceptual evolution. Initially defined as a measure of Social Desirability Response (SDR), Crowne and Marlowe (1964) later broadened the concept to the need for approval, suggesting the scale tapped a pervasive motivational drive underlying behavior.

In later statements (Crowne, 1979), this concept was refined to the avoidance of disapproval. Contemporary factor analysis research generally aligns the MCSD primarily with the second factor of SDR, known as impression management. This interpretation holds that the scale measures the conscious, deliberate attempt to manipulate the perception of others, consistent with the scale’s continued viability as both an SDR measure and an indicator of an approval-dependent personality.

Validity

Convergent Validity: Extensive studies summarized in Crowne and Marlowe (1964) established a broad range of behavioral correlates supporting the underlying motivational construct of the need for approval. High scorers on the MCSD, compared to low scorers, demonstrated increased responsiveness to social reinforcement, greater inhibition of aggression, and higher amenability to social influence. Their task performance was significantly affected by the evaluations of others, and they showed a preference for low-risk behaviors, actively avoiding situations involving potential negative evaluation.

Discriminant Validity: The MCSD exhibits low to moderate correlations with measures such as the Edwards Social Desirability scale and Self-Deceptive Enhancement scales. This pattern confirms that the MCSD falls primarily on the second factor of SDR, supporting its distinction as a measure of impression management rather than self-deceptive distortion.

It is important to note the complexity in interpreting high MCSD scores. While some studies suggest high scorers may exaggerate claims, other research indicates that high scorers actually possess desirable qualities (e.g., good adjustment, friendliness) as reported by their spouses (McCrae & Costa, 1983). Furthermore, high MCSD scorers tend to possess an honest demeanor, leading external judges to believe and trust their self-presentations even when instructed to dissimulate, which complicates the assessment of conscious lying.

Reliability

Internal Consistency: The scale demonstrates robust internal consistency. Alpha coefficients reported across various sample populations, including those mentioned previously, consistently ranged from .73 to .88, indicating strong coherence among the 33 items.

Test-Retest: The temporal stability of the MCSD is strong. Crowne and Marlowe (1964) reported a high test-retest correlation of .88 over a one-month period. Additionally, Fisher (1967) reported a correlation of .84 over a shorter one-week interval, confirming the consistency of the measure over time.

Factor Analysis

Analysis of the MCSD strongly suggests that it loads predominantly onto the second factor of Social Desirability Response (SDR), which is consistently identified as impression management. This factor represents the deliberate effort to manage one’s public self-presentation to gain social approval or avoid disapproval.

While the scale is generally viewed as unidimensional for practical use, some studies have explored the possibility of distinct components, suggesting that attribution and denial items might tap into separate constructs (Millham, 1974). Nonetheless, the prevailing consensus supports its use as a measure sensitive to situational demand and audience effects, reflecting its role in measuring conscious self-presentation modification.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report measure of response bias and approval motivation/evaluative dependence.

Format: 33 items, dichotomous True/False response format. Scores range from 0 to 33.

Language Available: English (Original), widely translated globally.

Population Group: General population, frequently used with college students and adults in research settings, and sensitive to situational demand.

Age Group: Adolescents and adults.

Population Details: Crowne and Marlowe (1964) reported a mean score of 15.5 (s.d. = 4.4) in a sample of 300 college students. Further studies include means of 16.1 (s.d. = 6.8) for males and 16.4 (s.d. = 6.5) for females in a sample of 650 Peace Corps volunteers (Fisher, 1967).

Test Methodology: Respondents indicate whether statements concerning personal attitudes and traits are True or False as they pertain to themselves. Items are keyed such that endorsement of socially desirable but uncommon behaviors (18 items) and denial of undesirable but common behaviors (15 items) increases the score, reflecting higher approval motivation.

Keywords

Psychological testing, personality assessment, self-report bias, dissimulation, response style, social desirability response (SDR), impression management, approval motivation.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: N/A

Affiliation Email addresses: N/A

Correspondence Address: N/A

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale was first published in 1960. Due to its age and widespread use in academic research, the scale items are generally considered available for non-commercial research and educational purposes. The original publication detailing the scale can be found in the Journal of Consulting Psychology (1960).

Reference’s

Crowne, D. P., & Marlowe, D. (1960). A new scale of social desirability independent of psychopathology. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 24, 349-354.

Crowne, D. P., & Marlowe, D. (1964). The approval motive: Studies in evaluative dependence. Wiley.

Crowne, D. P. (1979). The experimental approach to the analysis of behavior. Harper & Row.

Fisher, G. M. (1967). Social desirability and the Peace Corps Volunteer. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 23(1), 108-109.

Paulhus, D. L. (1984). Two-component models of socially desirable responding. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46(3), 598-609.

Tanaka-Matsumi, J., & Kameoka, V. A. (1986). Relative utility of the Marlowe-Crowne and MMPI Social Desirability Scales in a Japanese college sample. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54(2), 263-264.

Strickland, B. R. (1977). Internal-external control of reinforcement. Progress in Experimental Personality Research, 6, 119–185.

Millham, J., & Jacobson, L. I. (1978). The need for approval. In H. L. G. W. L. R. C. D. M. L. W. L. H. B. (Ed.), Measures of Personality and Social Psychological Attitudes (pp. 237–266). Academic Press.

Items of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MCSD)

Listed below are a number of statements concerning personal attitudes and traits. Read each item and decide whether the statement is true or false as it pertains to you.

• T F 1. Before voting I thoroughly investigate the qualifications of all the candidates.
• T F 2. I never hesitate to go out of my way to help someone in trouble.
• T F • 3. It is sometimes hard for me to go on with my work if I am not encouraged.
• T F 4. I have never intensely disliked anyone.
• T F • 5. On occasion I have had doubts about my ability to succeed in life.
• T F • 6. I sometimes feel resentful when I don’t get my way.
• T F 7. I am always careful about my manner of dress.
• T F 8. My table manners at home are as good as when I eat out in a restaurant.
• T F • 9. If I could get into a movie without paying and be sure I was not seen, I would probably do it.
• T F • 10. On a few occasions, I have given up doing something because I thought too little of my ability.
• T F * 11. I like to gossip at times.
• T F * 12. There have been times when I felt like rebelling against people in authority even though I knew they were right.
• T F 13. No matter who I’m talking to, I’m always a good listener.
• T F • 14. I can remember “playing sick” to get out of something.
• T F • 15. There have been occasions when I took advantage of someone.
• T F 16. I’m always willing to admit it when I make a mistake.
• T F 17. I always try to practice what I preach.
• T F 18. I don’t find it particularly difficult to get along with loud-mouthed, obnoxious people.
• T F * 19. I sometimes try to get even, rather than forgive and forget.
• T F 20. When I don’t know something I don’t at all mind admitting it.
• T F 21. I am always courteous, even to people who are disagreeable.
• T F * 22. At times I have really insisted on having things my own way.
• T F • 23. There have been occasions when I felt like smashing things.
• T F 24. I would never think of letting someone else be punished for my wrongdoings.
• T F 25. I never resent being asked to return a favor.
• T F 26. I have never been irked when people expressed ideas very different from my own.
• T F 27. I never make a long trip without checking the safety of my car.
• T F • 28. There have been times when I was quite jealous of the good fortune of others.
• T F 29. I have almost never felt the urge to tell someone off.
• T F • 30. I am sometimes irritated by people who ask favors of me