Effect of dissimulation motivation and anxiety on response pattern appropriateness measures

Abstract

This study examined the effect of anxiety and dissimulation motivation of job applicants on their performance on an ability test. Two aspects of performance were considered: the total score and the appropriateness score. Four IRT-based appropriateness indices for detecting aberrant response patterns were employed in this study. The results indicate a negative effect of dissimulation motivation on the performance of low anxiety scorers, with respect to both the total score and the appropriateness score, with a greater effect on the latter. This effect was evidenced by an erratic or aberrant response pattern on the ability test; that is, missing relatively easy items while answering more difficult ones correctly. The results are discussed in light of the diverse interpretations concerning the meaning of Lie scales.