# 49. Manipulation of bias and heuristics in decision making ## 49.5. Methodology/Refinements/Sub-species ### 49.5.64. Social desirability bias This is the tendency to over-report socially desirable characteristics or behaviour, whilst under-reporting socially undesirable characteristics or behaviour. A manipulator can use this trait to change the responses of victims by phrasing questions with a desirable or undesirable slant.