Accuracy and Biases in Newlyweds' Perceptions of Each Other

Abstract

There has been a long-standing debate about whether having accurate self-perceptions or holding positive illusions of self is more adaptive. This debate has recently expanded to consider the role of accuracy and bias of partner perceptions in romantic relationships. In the present study, we hypothesized that because accuracy, positivity bias, and similarity bias are likely to serve distinct functions in relationships, they should all make independent contributions to the prediction of marital satisfaction. In a sample of 288 newlywed couples, we tested this hypothesis by simultaneously modeling the actor effects and partner effects of accuracy, positivity bias, and similarity bias in predicting husbands' and wives' satisfaction. Findings across several perceptual domains suggest that all three perceptual indices independently predicted the perceiver's satisfaction. Accuracy and similarity bias, but not positivity bias, made unique contributions to the target's satisfaction. No sex differences were found.

Give a piece of you: Gifts that reflect givers promote closeness

“…However, given that we only observe this interaction in Study 6, we caution against drawing large conclusions. possibility may suggest one practical route through which accurate perceptions of close others come to promote positive relationship outcomes (e.g., Neff & Karney, 2005;Luo & Snider, 2009). The present work also begins to shed light on whether the relational benefits of giver-centric gifts may depend on type of the relationship between a giver and recipient (e.g., Joy, 2001;Otnes, Lowrey, & Kim, 1993;Ruth, Otnes, & Brunel, 1999).…”

“…Similarly, in close relationships, receiving partner-verifying information -information that confirms one's expectations about the close other -is also associated with greater intimacy (Swann et al, 1994), suggesting that the gift giver may also enjoy giving a gift that accurately reflects the recipient's self. Indeed, people tend to prefer individuals whom they more accurately perceive and who perceive them more accurately (Human, Sandstrom, Biesanz, & Dunn, 2013), and greater accuracy in romantic relationships is associated with higher relationship quality and outcomes (Neff & Karney, 2005;Luo & Snider, 2009). Thus, if givers are able to give gifts that reflect the recipient, thereby fostering self-and partner-verification, it is possible that the giver and receiver may come to feel closer to one another.…”

Assessment of social traits in married couples: Self-reports versus spouse ratings around the interpersonal circumplex.

“…Thus, the results could support either the view that self-presentation motives lead to minimizing self-reports of dominance or that negativity leads to maximizing spouse ratings, but they are difficult to reconcile with previous models in which self-presentation motives lead to increased self-reports of dominance (Paulhus & Trapnell, 2008). Research using additional informants (Murray, Holmes, Dolderman, & Griffin, 2000) or quantitative control of social desirability motives (Luo & Snider, 2009) could shed light on these issues.…”

A little similarity goes a long way: The effects of peripheral but self-revealing similarities on improving and sustaining interracial relationships.

“…In close relationships, empathic accuracy stems in part from a motivation to understand one’s partner’s thoughts and feelings, particularly when individuals feel close to their partners and want to sustain a relationship (Gagné & Lydon, 2004; Luo & Snider, 2009; Neff & Karney, 2005). We reasoned that by bringing partners closer, our manipulation of similarity on self-revealing attributes would increase individuals’ motivation to understand their cross-race partner’s interest in becoming friends.…”