Question

Which of the following best characterizes the relationship between confidence and accuracy of impressions?

a. Impressions we are confident in are usually very accurate.
b. Just because we are confident of an impression, doesn't mean it is accurate.
c. Accurate impressions generate less confidence than inaccurate ones.
d. We usually have more confidence in our inaccurate than accurate impressions.

Answer 1

Confidence in an impression does not guarantee its accuracy, as one can be consistently precise yet inaccurately confident in their assessments.

Step-by-step explanation:

The relationship between confidence and accuracy of impressions is best characterized by recognizing that confidence does not necessarily correlate with accuracy. In other words, just because we are confident in an impression, it doesn't guarantee that the impression is accurate.

This can be explained using the concepts of precision and accuracy. For example, in scientific measurements, accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value, whereas precision refers to the consistency of repeated measurements.

However, a person can be precise (consistent) in their impressions without being accurate (correct) and can feel very confident in these impressions despite potential inaccuracies.