What bias occurs when individuals respond in a way they believe is socially acceptable rather than truthfully?

The correct choice is faking or social desirability bias. This bias occurs when individuals alter their responses in surveys or assessments to align with what they perceive to be socially acceptable or favorable, rather than expressing their true thoughts or feelings. This can happen due to a desire to be viewed positively by others or a fear of judgment, leading to a distortion in the data collected. It is particularly relevant in contexts such as employee evaluations, psychological testing, and surveys where personal attributes or behaviors are examined.

In contrast, cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort experienced when an individual holds two or more contradictory beliefs or values, which can lead to changes in attitudes or behaviors to resolve that discomfort.

Confirmation bias involves the tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses, rather than being objective.

Social loafing describes the phenomenon where individuals in a group setting exert less effort than they would if they were working alone, often due to diffusion of responsibility.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for interpreting behavior and data accurately in organizational settings.