Do people know how others view them? Two approaches for identifying the accuracy of metaperceptions. (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Donnelly, Kristin; Moon, Alice; Critcher, Clayton R.
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in psychology. Volume 43(2022)
• Page Start: 119
• Page End: 124
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: Metaperception -- Meta-accuracy -- Egocentrism -- Self-perception -- Social perception; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.06.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-250X

Abstract

Abstract: Self-knowledge includes not only beliefs about one's own traits and abilities, but beliefs about how others view the self. Are such metaperceptions accurate? This article identifies two distinct standards used to determine meta-accuracy. The correlational approach tests whether metaperceptions correlate with an accuracy criterion (i.e. social perceptions). The mean-level approach instead asks whether metaperceptions tend to err in a systematic direction. This article reviews complementary lessons gleaned from research taking one approach or the other: whether metaperceptions merely reflect self-perceptions, whose metaperceptions are more or less accurate, and what psychological processes impede meta-accuracy, among others. Ultimately, neither approach is endorsed as unconditionally superior. Instead, which approach offers the proper accuracy standard should depend on the decisions those metaperceptions will guide. Highlights: Researchers have primarily used two distinct criteria for assessing meta-accuracy. One tests for the correlation between metaperceptions and social perceptions. The other tests for systematic biases between metaperceptions and social perceptions. How metaperceptions will be used should determine which is normatively appropriate.