Observer judgmental accuracy of personality: Benefits related to being a good (normative) judge

•Examined relations between personality judgment accuracy and beneficial outcomes.•Judgments were based on observations of dyadic interactions.•Normative accuracy was positively related to several beneficial outcomes.•Distinctive accuracy was not related to beneficial outcomes.

The current study tested the hypothesis that accuracy of personality judgment would be positively related to beneficial life outcomes. 189 participants observed targets across 5 dyadic interactions and made judgments of the 10 targets on the Big Five traits. Self and acquaintance ratings were used as the accuracy criteria. Normative accuracy for all traits was related to agreeableness, and normative accuracy for some traits was positively related to interpersonal control, interpersonal support, positive affect, and life satisfaction. Distinctive accuracy was not related to beneficial outcomes. These results imply that normative accuracy based on observation is associated with beneficial outcomes, whereas distinctive accuracy is not.