vastausvääryys

Vastausvääryys, a Finnish term, translates to "response bias" or "answer bias" in English. It refers to a systematic tendency for individuals to respond to survey questions or psychological tests in a way that is not necessarily truthful but is influenced by external factors or personal inclinations. This bias can significantly affect the validity of research findings, as it distorts the true responses and therefore the data collected.

Several types of vastausvääryys exist. Acquiescence bias, for instance, is the tendency to agree with statements regardless of their content. Extreme response bias involves consistently choosing the most extreme options on a rating scale. Social desirability bias, on the other hand, leads individuals to answer questions in a manner they perceive as socially acceptable or favorable, rather than reflecting their genuine beliefs or behaviors. Other forms include faking good (intentionally presenting oneself in a positive light) and faking bad (intentionally presenting oneself negatively), as well as random responding where participants provide answers without careful consideration.

Researchers employ various strategies to mitigate vastausvääryys. These include careful question wording, using a mix of positively and negatively worded items, employing social desirability scales, and ensuring anonymity and confidentiality to encourage more honest responses. Understanding and addressing response bias is crucial for drawing accurate conclusions from data collected through surveys, questionnaires, and psychological assessments.