[A methodological contribution to the knowledge on psychosocial alienation].

Abstract

A methodological approach to the study of alienation at a psychological level is discussed. Owing to the methodological purpose of the research at stake, researchers paid attention to the fact that the questionnaire items had been written in the first person singular--a fact that encouraged researchers to work anew, on the hypothesis of the personal implication of subjects with the items contents. A conclusion was thus reached that an item written in first person singular dissuades subjects from telling what they think or feel actually, inducing subjects to produce social desirability-oriented answers.