Self-evaluation, actual performance and preference across the life-span

The relationship between self-evaluation and actual performance, and self-evaluation and preference was investigated with 175 females from seven distinct age groups (17 to 72 years). Participants were administered a complex reaction time task, after which they evaluated both their performance on, and preference for, the task using the Semantic Differential Technique. Results indicated that at all age levels individuals were inaccurate in evaluating their performance. Also, individuals' rated preference for the task was significantly related to how well they felt they performed on the task. Implications of results were discussed.