Interpersonal accuracy and positive interaction outcomes: When situation-specific accuracy skills are more efficient than a general emotion recognition skill

Interpersonal accuracy is the ability to correctly assess others' traits and states based on the observation of verbal and nonverbal behaviors of our pairs. This skill is usually measured with a general emotion recognition ability test. Some researchers have also assessed it as a more situation-specific skill as it unfolds in a social interaction. The aim of the present study was to test which aspect predicts interaction outcomes best. In a field study, we assessed general emotion recognition accuracy of 60 general practitioners and we asked them to evaluate their patients' preferences for medical communication style after each of 4 to 6 consultations. This evaluation was compared to the patient's actual preference to obtain a measure of situation-specific interpersonal accuracy. Patients also indicated their satisfaction, trust, and enablement. Results show that the situation-specific interpersonal accuracy was related to more positive interaction outcomes whereas the general emotion recognition skill was not