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17 - Interpersonal accuracy

Real and perceived links to prosocial behavior

from Part II - Correlates of interpersonal accuracy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 April 2016

By
Sara D. Hodges  and
Adrienne A. P. Wise
Edited by
Judith A. Hall ,
Marianne Schmid Mast  and
Tessa V. West
Judith A. Hall
Affiliation:
Northeastern University, Boston
Marianne Schmid Mast
Affiliation:
Université de Lausanne, Switzerland
Tessa V. West
Affiliation:
New York University
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Summary

Abstract

This chapter examines the relationship between interpersonal accuracy and prosociality. These two concepts seem intuitively intertwined, perhaps in part because both of them have been linked to the very broad and diffuse idea of “empathy.” We first highlight studies that support the relationship between interpersonal accuracy and prosociality. Notably, the predominant measure of interpersonal accuracy in studies supporting the link is emotion recognition – and in particular, recognition of fear. We next explore why the connection between these two constructs may be over-perceived. One possible reason is that both interpersonal accuracy and prosociality can be viewed as multidimensional constructs that have been operationalized in multiple ways. Links found between certain pairs of measures may not generalize to all measures. We conclude with future directions that may help further delineate the mechanisms that connect these two associated, yet distinct, constructs.

Type
Chapter
Information
The Social Psychology of Perceiving Others Accurately , pp. 350 - 376
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2016

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