Response Sets:

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Response sets are tendencies — intentional or unintentional — to answer questions that portray a favorable image of oneself, rather than an honest one. Response sets show patterns of common reactions, as a person’s response appeals to social opinions. In research, false responses obstruct analysis and interpretation of data. Also see Conflict-Monitoring Theory. Common response sets show these biases:

• Acquiescence agrees with research claims, despite knowing the activity doesn’t accurately or honestly represent our point of view.
• Social desirability is answering questions to be seen favorably by others.
• Extreme responding is choosing only the most extreme possibilities.
• Being-in-the-middle is avoiding extremes and selecting middle responses to play it safe.
• Random responding is reacting to someone without respect for pattern or thoughtfulness.