Study Finds People Often Underestimate How Much Others Like Them After First Meetings

New research suggests people routinely misjudge how much others enjoy their company during conversations. This discrepancy is referred to as the liking gap. The findings indicate individuals tend to be harsher evaluators of their own performance in social settings. In studies, participants reported liking their conversation partners more than they had anticipated. The researchers note that people are generally unaware of the doubts and nervousness their counterparts experience. The authors suggest that recognizing this gap could encourage more positive interactions as relationships develop.