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August 24, 2006
first impressions
It's not that we humans are shallow. We're just efficient.
Psychologists at Princeton University have published results of recent research indicating that it takes a-mere-tenth-of-a-second for us to make up our minds about other people. And that once the initial impression is formed, it's nearly impossible to change.
The staff here at KIW urges everyone to smile more - and don't forget the firm, yet friendly, handshake.
The Guardian; Wednesday August 23, 2006; 'Research shows first impressions really count'
Posted by williamfrick at August 24, 2006 11:02 PM
Comments
The article (or at least the supporting research) says people seldom change the impressions they obtain from looking at a photograph the longer they look at the photo. The research doesn't support any inference about how likely people are to change impressions following other types of interactions (such as, for example, talking to the person).
Posted by: Michael E. Piston at August 25, 2006 6:30 AM
Good point.
A bad first impression could always be made worse by opening one's mouth.
I think it's best to just stay home. Or maybe communicate by email, if necessary.
:)
Posted by: williamfrick at August 25, 2006 8:20 AM
Interesting article....I wholeheartedly agree.
Our first impressions of people are normally very shallow and judgemental.....almost unfair to the people that we meet....I believe that most people have an innate sense or feeling about another person....whether or not they are of good character or bad.....we can just feel it.
But on the other hand...we might be direly wrong about them.
Posted by: Jo at August 25, 2006 8:23 PM