Metaperception Accuracy: An Israeli Study

Research on meta-accuracy (the ability of people to know how others view them) has indicated that people do not know how they are differentially seen by others. Although Kenny and DePaulo (1993) have explained this finding by self-perception theory, it seems likely that feedback from the partner should be a factor in meta-accuracy. The present study examined meta-accuracy within an Israeli group-interaction setting. It was assumed that the directness and straight talk typical of interpersonal communication in Israeli society would greatly improve feedback and, therefore, would increase meta- accuracy as well. A group assessment procedure was administered to 154 female candidates to educational programs at a university and a teacher- training college. Despite the inclusion of group activities expected to enhance interaction and feedback, the assessment procedure was found to generate a rather low level of meta-accuracy, supporting Kenny and DePaulo’s (1993) self-perception theory.