The Relationship Between Personality and Response Patterns on Public Opinion Surveys: The Big Five, Extreme Response Style, and Acquiescence Response Style

Abstract

Public opinion surveys often use scales marked with terms such as ‘‘strongly agree,’’ ‘‘agree,’’ ‘‘disagree,’’ and ‘‘strongly disagree.’’ Two sets of systematic factors may in- fluence answers to such items. First, responses may reflect the substantive concept of interest. It is hoped that if we ask for opinion on a new education proposal, answers will tell us something meaningful about assessments of that policy. Second, answers may reflect a respondent’s general approach to survey questions.