Understanding what Predicts Meta-Accuracy: Exploring the Good Metaperceiver, the Good Perceiver, and the Good Trait

Knowing how you come across to new acquaintances carries important social implications, especially in first impression contexts. But what factors relate to this capacity? The present research aimed to map out the characteristics of the “good metaperceiver”, “good perceiver” and “good trait”. We explored these links across two large studies involving getting-acquainted interactions in person ( N = 860, dyads = 4579; M age = 20.37 , 82.91 % women) and on Zoom ( N = 911, dyads = 4897; M age = 20.45 , 82.74% women). Adapting the social accuracy model for metaperceptions, we found consistent results revealing that the good metaperceivers generally viewed themselves more positively (i.e., reported desirable personality traits and psychological adjustment) and were generally viewed more positively by interaction partners (i.e., rated as more likeable). Further, the good perceiver reported being more interpersonally warm (e.g., agreeable). Finally, the good trait was observable and non-evaluative (socially neutral). Together, these findings offer a more nuanced understanding of when and for whom meta-accuracy emerges. By identifying the individual and trait-level correlates that may facilitate accurate metaperception, this work sheds light on how people come to understand the impressions they make and lays the groundwork for improving social functioning in everyday interactions.