Comparing Trait-Wise and Profile-Wise Approaches to Assess the Links Between Metaperceptions and Romantic Interest...

Our perceptions of how we come across to others-metaperceptions-potentially shape whether romantic connections flourish or fade. The current study advanced the investigation of metaperceptions in relationship initiation in two ways: (a) by comparing two leading approaches to assessing meta-accuracy and meta-bias (the profile-wise social accuracy model and the trait-wise truth and bias model) and (b) by examining how metaperceptions of evaluative mate attributes (attractiveness, trustworthiness, status) relate to romantic interest. Using data from a naturalistic speed-dating study (N = 214, 1,730 dyads), we found that perceivers who believed they were seen by others in line with what is normative (meta-normativity) expressed more romantic interest in others, whereas perceivers who underestimated how positively they were seen expressed lower romantic interest. In contrast, more accurate metaperceptions predicted greater romantic interest from others. These findings demonstrate that different analytic approaches offer unique insights into the role of metaperceptions in relationship initiation.