What term describes the tendency for respondents to answer questions in a way that portrays them positively?

The term that describes the tendency for respondents to answer questions in a way that portrays them positively is known as the social desirability effect. This phenomenon occurs when individuals provide responses that they believe are more socially acceptable or favorable rather than their true feelings or experiences. It often influences self-reported measures, such as surveys and interviews, where individuals might exaggerate their positive traits or downplay any negative aspects to align with societal norms or expectations. Recognizing this effect is crucial for researchers, as it can significantly impact the validity of data collected in psychological studies.

In contrast, response bias refers to a broader category of biases that can occur in surveys and questionnaires and may not necessarily focus on self-enhancement. Conformity bias involves individuals changing their responses to align with what they perceive others might think or want, rather than just focusing on pleasing societal standards. Self-report bias encompasses a range of inaccuracies in self-reported data, which may include memory errors or misunderstanding questions, rather than specifically highlighting the inclination to provide a socially desirable answer. This distinction emphasizes why the social desirability effect is the most fitting term for the behavior described in the question.