Psychometric properties of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale in a Romanian sample

Abstract

This research investigated the psychometric properties and the reliability of the Romanian version of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MCSDS; Crowne & Marlowe, 1960), as well as the fit of two short versions of the scale. The non-experimental research was performed on a sample of 215 participants, aged between 20 and 35 years, using the MCSDS. Along with the original 33 item scale, a 21 item version and a short 13 item version were tested using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The results showed that both short versions achieved better fit than the original scale, the 13 item one being the most adequate. All three versions proved satisfactory reliability. This research supports the use of the MCSDS short forms in future research requiring the measurement of social desirability.