Extreme Response Style: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Extreme response style (ERS) refers to the tendency to prefer responding using extreme endpoints on rating scales. We use meta-analysis to summarize the correlates of ERS. Our findings present how one’s tendency to engage in extreme responding is related to demographic variables (e.g., age, gender, education, and race), intelligence, acquiescence, and number of points and items in a scale. We also identified a non-linear relationship between age and extreme responding. Thus, this article should be read by anyone using Likert type scales when using data from a diverse set of individuals.