Consensus in Initial Impressions as a Function of Verbal Information

Abstract

Past research has found higher levels of agreement in personality ratings of others on traits related to extroversion than on other traits such as intelligence, honesty, or conscientiousness, particularly at low levels of acquaintance. One explanation for this effect is that verbal information relevant to these latter traits is less likely to be elicited in initial get-acquainted interactions. Providing such information should increase agreement. The present data suggest this is not the case. Agreement was equally low on these difficult-to-judge dimensions whether more or less relevant information was provided. The authors argue that because these traits are highly socially desirable, nonverbal information about the negative pole of the trait dimension is needed to make a confident judgment. Because such information is not available during initial encounters, simply increasing the quantity of relevant verbal information does not improve consensus.