First impressions are deceptive. Human perception: truth and fiction

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

The first impression is formed on an intuitive level, a split second is enough to form a primary idea of a person. Is the first impression of a person deceptive or not? Let's find out.

How do you make a first impression?

First impressions can be based on a person's intuition, appearance, and emotional level. Often first impressions are deceiving. Scientists have identified four main criteria that are paid attention to at the first meeting:

• physical strengths and weaknesses;
• clothing, hairstyle, accessories;
• the mood of the interlocutor, non-verbal messages;
• subjective attitude, the presence or absence of a desire to communicate.

Those qualities that a person first of all pays attention to play an important role in his self-esteem. If you don’t like the eyes in your own appearance, then the interlocutor will pay attention to the eyes. Therefore, the first impression of the same person will be different for each individual.

Influence of flavors

A person smells another person, perfume, skin scent. The impression can be created on the basis of smells and cause associations. If they are pleasant, then the person will like you at the first meeting. It happens unconsciously. People with similar skin odors are more likely to find a common language when they first meet.

The first impression can be deceptive, during subsequent communication it may turn out that a person is rude, arrogant and it is difficult to continue communication with him. The first impression is created by the qualities that a stranger is ready to show to others.

What do people pay attention to when they first meet?

Communication of people has always been an interesting topic for psychologists to study. Experiments have shown that there are several indicators that can change the attitude of other people for better or worse.

Stigmatization is the formation of attitudes towards others based on social labels. Three effects have been identified that influence the attitude towards a stranger in the future:

• Primary. The first impression is the most valuable for others, they rely on it for a long time.
• "Boomerang". The stronger the desire to make a good impression, the more likely it is to backfire.
• Idealization. A good first impression allows you to ignore some shortcomings in the future.

Most likely, the first impression is deceptive, when studying a person, they pay attention to what is beneficial inthis moment. If you want to see some qualities in a person, then they will definitely be found, confirming our expectations. The attitude at the first meeting will be what is comfortable at the moment.

The concept of "thin sections"

At the end of the twentieth century, the concept of "thin sections" was introduced. It confirms that the attitude towards people is often formed in the first seconds and leaves an imprint on further communication.

For the experiment, videos were shown without sound, which lasted for 10 seconds, and asked to make an impression of a person. For the purity of the experiment, the subjects were offered a scale of qualities.

These videos were then shown to other participants in the experiment for gradation on the same scale, but the duration of the video was only 5 seconds.

The third group of subjects watched the videos for two seconds.

The results surprised everyone, the first impression coincided in many respects. From where it was concluded that two seconds are enough to form an opinion about a person. The rest of the time does not affect the first impression of a stranger.

Trust in the first seconds

Trust a stranger or not trust, the brain makes a conclusion within 0.1 second. Trust is made up of many factors, and first impressions can be deceiving. An example from literature: the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast". The appearance frightened the girl, and she did not want to continue communication, but later it turned out that a sensitive young man was hiding behind the ugly appearance.

Psychologicalexperiments prove that the time of the first communication does not affect the perception in the future. An opinion is formed in a split second. The first group of subjects was shown a photo of 0.1 seconds. The second group looked at the photo for as long as they saw fit. The general opinion about the people in the photo was the same.

The social status of a person has a strong influence on the first opinion. What others pay attention to is the clothes. People who wore famous brands to their first meeting were perceived as reliable and self-confident.

When interviewing for a job, preference was given to those candidates who came in designer clothes and looked higher in social status. Although in reality it could be different.

Therefore, first impressions are deceptive. The quote from folk wisdom that they are greeted by clothes, and escorted by the mind, only confirms this hypothesis. And as Coco Chanel said, "You don't get a second chance to make a first impression."

Intelligence and promiscuity

The ability to look into the eyes of the interlocutor speaks of a person with high intelligence. This is how others perceive us. If at the first meeting a person averts his eyes, then, most likely, he will be perceived as a person with a narrow-minded mind.

First impressions are deceptive. For example, discreetly framed glasses will create the impression that you are an educated person. Although wearing glasses has nothing to do with IQ.

To give the impression of an educated person, when talkingyou need to look the interlocutor in the eye.

Scientists from England conducted an experiment among men. They were given photographs that showed women with tattoos on various parts of their bodies and no tattoos on their bodies. The assessment was based on three parameters:

• drinking alcohol;
• attractiveness;
• moral qualities.

Based on the test, scientists concluded that women who have tattoos on exposed parts of the body are perceived by men as lovers of alcoholic beverages and leading an immoral life.

Is the person successful?

To create a good opinion of yourself in the eyes of others, you need clothes. People who wear a business suit are perceived by others as more successful and attractive than people in jeans and jumpers. The first impression is deceptive. This applies to men and women.

Women need to wear closed clothes to create the image of a successful lady. The plunging neckline and mini skirt create a sense of lower social status.

Another interesting observation was made by professors at the University of Pennsylvania. Bald men are perceived as leaders who know how to lead a group of people. Age and clothes in the experiment were in the background.

The first opinion about a person is wrong, but it has a great influence on further relationships. The opinion that has developed in the first seconds is difficult to change later.