Faking Good on Self-Reports Versus Informant-Reports of Emotional Intelligence

Walker, Sarah A.; MacCann, Carolyn

Abstract

Research demonstrates that people can fake on self-rated emotional intelligence scales. As yet, no studies have investigated whether informants (where a knowledgeable informant rates a target’s emotional intelligence) can also fake on emotional intelligence inventories. This study compares mean score differences for a simulated job selection versus a standard instructed set for both self-ratings and informant-ratings on the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire—Short Form (TEIQue-SF). In a 2 × 2 between-person design, participants (N = 81 community volunteers, 151 university students) completed the TEIQue-SF as either self-report or informant-report in one of two instruction conditions (answer honestly, job simulation). Both self-reports (d = 1.47) and informant-reports (d = 1.56) were significantly higher for job simulation than “answer honestly” instructions, indicating substantial faking. We conclude that people can fake emotional intelligence for both themselves (self-report) and on behalf of someone else (informant-report). We discuss the relevance of our findings for self- and informant-report assessment in applied contexts.

Citation

Walker, S. A., & MacCann, C. (2024). Faking Good on Self-Reports Versus Informant-Reports of Emotional Intelligence. Assessment, 31(5), 1011-1019. https://doi.org/10.1177/10731911231203960

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 30, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Oct 14, 2023
• Publication Date: 2024-07
• Deposit Date: Feb 13, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 30, 2024
• Journal: Assessment
• Print ISSN: 1073-1911
• Electronic ISSN: 1552-3489
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 1011-1019
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10731911231203960
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2253762