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Predicting personality and behavior: a boundary on the acquaintanceship effect.
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside 92521.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|June 1, 1991
Summary
Acquaintances’ personality ratings better predict personality scores than strangers’ ratings. However, both acquaintances and strangers equally predict behavior, suggesting distinct accuracy levels for personality versus behavior prediction.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- Interjudge agreement in personality ratings improves with increased familiarity.
- Previous research primarily focused on personality trait agreement, not behavioral prediction accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To replicate and extend findings on acquaintanceship and personality ratings.
- To investigate the relationship between acquaintanceship and the accuracy of behavioral prediction.
Main Methods:
- 138 undergraduate targets were videotaped in social interactions.
- Targets completed 5 self-report personality measures.
- Acquaintances' and strangers' judgments were compared for predictive accuracy.
Main Results:
- Acquaintances' judgments significantly predicted personality scores better than strangers' judgments.
- Both acquaintances' and strangers' judgments showed similar accuracy in predicting behavior.
- Familiarity enhances personality judgment accuracy but not necessarily behavioral prediction.
Conclusions:
- Acquaintanceship is crucial for accurate personality trait assessment.
- Behavioral prediction accuracy may rely on different cues than personality trait agreement.
- Future research should explore factors influencing behavioral prediction accuracy across different levels of familiarity.