The Accuracy of Personality Trait Judgments

Abstract

Abstract How accurately can we judge the personality traits of ourselves and others? What are the factors that influence our ability to make correct judgments? How can we use this information to improve our social interactions and relationships? In this introduction to the Oxford Handbook of Accurate Personality Judgment, the reader is introduced to the study of personality trait accuracy. Foundations of this research are reviewed and an overview of the volume is provided. Chapters explore current judgment models and review empirical work on moderators of accuracy, including characteristics of judges, targets, traits, and information. They explain the challenges encountered when judging different types of targets and examine how different kinds of information contribute to the judgment process. The applications and implications of this work for relationships, workplace interactions, and evaluations of psychological health and functioning are discussed. Ways to improve accuracy and future directions for research on trait accuracy are offered.