Knowing me, knowing you: The accuracy and unique predictive validity of self-ratings and other-ratings of daily behavior.
Abstract
Many people assume that they know themselves better than anyone else knows them. Recent research on inaccuracies in self-perception, however, suggests that self-knowledge may be more limited than people typically assume. In this article, the authors examine the possibility that people may know a person as well as (or better than) that person knows himself or herself. In Study 1, the authors document the strength of laypeople's beliefs that the self is the best expert. In Study 2, the authors provide a direct test of self- and other-accuracy using an objective and representative behavioral criterion. To do this, the authors compared self- and other-ratings of daily behavior to real-life measures of act frequencies assessed unobtrusively over 4 days. Our results show that close others are as accurate as the self in predicting daily behavior. Furthermore, accuracy varies across behaviors for both the self and for others, and the two perspectives often independently predict behavior. These findings suggest that there is no single perspective from which a person is known best and that both the self and others possess unique insight into how a person typically behaves.
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Past research has validated informant-reports from close friends, coworkers, and family members.
“Past research has validated informant-reports from close friends (Funder & Colvin, 1988), coworkers (Hogan, Hogan, & Roberts, 1996), and family members (Vazire & Mehl, 2008).”
From Cultural norm fulfillment, interpersonal belonging, or getting ahead? A large-scale cross-cultural test of three perspectives on the function of self-esteem. (2015) · cites this paper as Vazire & Mehl, 2008
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- Authors
- Vazire, S., & Mehl, M. R.
- Affiliations
- Washington University in St. Louis (US)
- University of Arizona (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
- Published
- 2008-11
- Volume
- 95
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1202-1216
- ISSN
- 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1315
- OpenAlex
- W2111210873
- Cited by
- 458
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 47 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 42 · 2019: 33 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 33 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 23
- FWCI
- 25.65
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH64527-01A1; MH52391)
- National Science Foundation (0422924)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
- Keywords
- self-knowledge, self-perception, self-other differences, daily behavior, close others
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Character, Female, Humans, Individuality, Interpersonal Relations, Judgment, Male, Self Concept, Social Behavior, Social Environment, Social Perception, Young Adult
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