THE IMPACT OF THE PRESENCE OF OTHERS ON A RESPONDENT'S ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

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Abstract
Although interviewers in survey research are usually instructed to interview the respondent alone, third parties are a common enough occurrence to have a potentially serious impact on responses. This article examines the effect of third parties present (spouses, children, and in general) on a respondent's answers. Data from the 1994 General Social Survey were used. Results show that, for married respondents, answers on 15 questions about marriage, sexual matters and miscellaneous items are hardly affected by the presence of a spouse. Differences on gender role items emerge as spurious when proper controls for differences in family and household structure and organization are entered. Among 13 questions about child values, sexual matters concerning youths, and other items, answers are mostly not influenced by the presence of a child. When controls are applied, only one difference emerges: Respondents appear less approving of premarital sex when an older child (6 years or more) is present. Among 13 items on sex, religion, personal evaluations and evaluations of people, only self-reported health is affected by the presence of third parties. Overall, the impact of third parties on survey responses is fairly rare and mostly small. Most apparent impacts of the presence of others turn out to be spurious. Though they are of limited extent, third-party effects need to be better understood. Specific steps toward this end are suggested.

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