Social desirability, or presenting yourself in the best possible light, is thought to be best measured by statements such as ‘I am always happy to help someone, however inconvenient’, or ‘As a child, I always did as I was told to do’, or ‘I have no undesirable habits or vices’. If you were to agree with any of these statements, you may be identified as deliberately distorting the result, self-deceiving, or producing a highly positive—if not inaccurate—self-image. Would this be fair?

The personality test interpreter is expected to gather supportive evidence to assess whether or not genuine socially desirable behaviour is part of your disposition. How would he or she gather this evidence?