From Misperception to Social Connection: Correlates and Consequences of Overestimating Others' Social Connectedness

A.V.  Whillans; C.  Christie; S.  Cheung; A.H.  Jordan; F.S.  Chen

Article | Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin | December 2017

From Misperception to Social Connection: Correlates and Consequences of Overestimating Others' Social Connectedness

by A.V. Whillans, C. Christie, S. Cheung, A.H. Jordan and F.S. Chen

Abstract

Two studies document the existence and correlates of a widespread social belief, wherein individuals who have recently moved to a new social environment see their peers as more socially connected than they themselves are. In Study 1, the prevalence of this belief was documented in a large sample of first-year students (N=1099). In Study 2, the prevalence of this social belief was replicated in a targeted sample of university students (N=389). Study 2 also documented both positive and negative implications of this belief. Specifically, at any given time, students who believed that their peers were more socially connected than they themselves were reported lower well-being and belonging. Over time, however, the belief that one’s peers are moderately more socially connected than oneself was associated with more friendship formation.

Keywords: social comparison; interpersonal relationships; well-being; Perception; Relationships; Familiarity; Happiness;

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Citation:

Whillans, A.V., C. Christie, S. Cheung, A.H. Jordan, and F.S. Chen. "From Misperception to Social Connection: Correlates and Consequences of Overestimating Others' Social Connectedness." Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 43, no. 12 (December 2017): 1696–1711. (Pre-published online, September 2017.)

How do the trade-offs that people make between time and money shape major life decisions? Previous research suggests that the tendency to prioritize time over money is a stable orientation that influences day-to-day decision-making and is associated with greater subjective well-being. Yet, nothing is known about whether prioritizing time over money shapes consequential decisions and long-term happiness. To shed light on this question, we tracked a large cohort of graduating students across two years (N=822). Students who valued time over money in their senior year of college (T1) were more likely to make intrinsically rewarding career choices and were happier two years after graduation (T2), even after controlling for T1 happiness. This study is the first to show that people’s chronic orientations to value time over money can shape their major life decisions with implications for long-term trajectories of subjective well-being.

New research suggests that the trade-offs that people make between time and money shape happiness. However, this research has not yet examined why people’s general orientations to prioritize time over money might promote well-being. Across three studies, utilizing both self-report (N=127; N=249) and behavioral outcomes (N=358), we provide the first empirical evidence that valuing time over money encourages greater investment in everyday social interactions. These findings could not be explained by extraversion (Study 1) or by demographic characteristics such as age, gender, or socioeconomic status (Studies 1-3). These studies suggest that valuing time over money may promote well-being by facilitating social connection.

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From Misperception to Social Connection: Correlates and Consequences of Overestimating Others' Social Connectedness

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