Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale Test - Free Online Assessment
Social desirability is the tendency to present yourself in line with social expectations. This 13-item test, based on the Marlowe-Crowne short form, helps you see how much this tendency shows up in the way you describe yourself.
About the Marlowe–Crowne Social Desirability Scale
The Marlowe–Crowne Social Desirability Scale (Crowne & Marlowe, 1960) measures the tendency to present oneself in a culturally approved, 'too good' light. It uses statements that are true of almost nobody or almost everybody — endorsing the flattering answers signals a need for social approval.
This page uses the 13-item short form (Reynolds, 1982), which preserves the original's purpose in a third of the length. Social desirability is not lying: it is a normal, mostly unconscious motivation that simply varies in strength between people.
How to read your result
A high score means your answers tend toward the socially ideal image — useful to keep in mind when you interpret results from any self-report questionnaire, including this one. A low score means you answered with little concern for approval; very low values sometimes reflect a deliberately contrarian stance.
Researchers mainly use the scale as a validity check attached to other questionnaires. As a self-reflection tool it answers a different question: how much of your self-image is built around being seen as good?
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About the Scale
The Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale was developed by Crowne and Marlowe (1960); this page uses the 13-item short form by Reynolds (1982), often used to detect socially desirable responding in self-report research.
Interpreting Results
Each statement has a socially desirable response direction. You receive one point for each statement you answer in that direction. Total scores range from 0 to 13: 0–4 is low, 5–8 is moderate, and 9–13 is high.
Disclaimer
This test is for educational and self-reflection purposes only. It is not a diagnostic tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have another question? Let us know.
What is social desirability?
It is the tendency to describe yourself in ways that will be viewed favorably by others — overstating virtues and denying common faults. It operates largely unconsciously.
What does the scale measure?
The need for social approval expressed through self-presentation. It does not measure your actual behavior, but how strongly approval shapes the way you describe it.
Which version does this page use?
The 13-item short form by Reynolds (1982), one of the standard abbreviated versions of the original 33-item scale.
How long does it take?
About two minutes. Answer with your first honest reaction — deliberating defeats the purpose.
What does a high score mean?
You lean toward presenting an idealized image of yourself. That is common and not a character flaw — but it means your answers on self-report tests may be systematically flattering.
Does a high score mean I am dishonest?
No. Socially desirable responding is a normal, automatic motivation, not lying. Most people do it to some degree, especially on sensitive topics.
Why does this matter for other tests?
Because inflated self-presentation can distort any self-report result — personality, mood or habit questionnaires. Knowing your social desirability level helps you calibrate how literally to read your other results.
Is this a psychological diagnosis?
No. The scale is a classic research instrument for a response style, not a clinical tool, and it says nothing about any disorder.
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