Question Threat and Response Bias

Abstract

Perceived normative threat influences responses to questions in surveys. Respondents who report that questions about an activity would make most people very uneasy are less likely to report ever engaging in that activity than are persons who report less uneasiness. If respondents do not admit to participating in an activity, perceived threat appears to have acted as a gatekeeper to prevent further questions. Since perceived threat is associated with underreporting, some simple adjustment methods may be used to improve behavioral estimates.