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The good judge of intelligence

Author

Listed:
  • Heine, Christoph
  • Zimmermann, Johannes
  • Leising, Daniel
  • Dufner, Michael

Abstract

Accurately judging others' intelligence is important, yet little is known about individual differences in this ability. In this study we investigated these differences and the attributes that are associated with greater accuracy in judging intelligence. Participants (perceivers; N = 198) rated the intelligence of 50 target persons whom they saw in one minute video clips, and also completed measures of their own attributes. In a cross-classified mixed model, judgment accuracy was defined as the within-perceiver relationship between intelligence ratings and targets' intelligence test results. Judgment accuracy varied significantly across participants, indicating individual differences in the good judge of intelligence. Higher accuracy was associated with greater perceiver intelligence, emotion perception abilities, and life satisfaction. These findings underscore the importance of perceivers' cognitive and socio-emotional abilities in social evaluation, and support the idea that being a good judge of intelligence is linked to psychological adjustment.

Suggested Citation

  • Heine, Christoph & Zimmermann, Johannes & Leising, Daniel & Dufner, Michael, 2026. "The good judge of intelligence," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:intell:v:115:y:2026:i:c:s0160289625000972
    DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2025.101994
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