Meta-accuracy among acquainted individuals: a social relations analysis of interpersonal perception and metaperception.

Abstract

Meta-accuracy, knowing how others view the self, was examined using the Social Relations Model. Fifteen groups of 4-6 acquainted individuals gave self-ratings, perceptions of other group members, and estimated others' perceptions of self (metaperceptions) on the Big Five and Interesting. Individuals also rated liking and metaperceptions of liking. Trait perceptions were consensual, and self-other agreement emerged for most traits. Affect judgments were entirely relational; individuals differentiated among targets. Trait metaperceptions were dominated by perceiver variance. Individuals differed in the impression they believed others generally held about them. Affect metaperceptions, however, were relational in nature. Correlations between perceptions and metaperceptions assessed 2 types of meta-accuracy. Generalised meta-accuracy was obtained for some trait ratings. Affect judgments revealed significant dyadic meta-accuracy.