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Response Styles in Rating Scales

Evidence of Method Bias in Data From Six EU Countries

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Ype H. Poortinga

Theo M. M. Verhallen

Tilburg University

In cross-cultural studies with social variables such as values or attitudes, it is often assumed that differences in scores can be compared at face value. However, response styles like acquiescence and extreme response style may affect answers, particularly on rating scales. In three sets of data from marketing studies, each with representative samples fromat least threeoutofsix countries(Greece,Italy, Spain,France,Germany, andthe United Kingdom), these two response styles were found to be more present in the Mediterranean than in Northwestern Europe. Evidence for response style effects was not only found in response distributions on rating scales, but also in discrepancies of these distributions with national consumer statistics and self-reported actual behavior.

Key Words: method bias • response styles • acquiescence • extreme response style • countries in the European Union

Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, Vol. 35, No. 3, 346-360 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/0022022104264126


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