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

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 = 1,099). 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 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. © 2017,© 2017 by the society for personality and social psychology,inc.