Perception of Others

834 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The role and function of stereotypes

Perception of Others

There is no second chance for a first impression. Perception has never been random, since the beginning of time it has been human nature to judge others before really getting a chance to know them. People immediately cast others into stereotypes in every situation: they form a schema, or an organized set of thoughts about something containing properties and uses. These schemas effect the way people carry themselves around others. Schemas are usually formed with in eight seconds of getting the initial impression of a person. This by psychologists is know as the ?eight-second rule,? where people have been proven to form hypothesizes about others with in eight seconds of meeting or seeing an individual for the first time. Human nature has never been stated more accurately than in one little phrase, yet I have never fully understood the cliché until just recently.

As I sat here in the computer lab last week I noticed how I judge those around me. Although she speaks nothing, I have already put together an assumption about ?the girl sitting to my left:? her personality, work habits and attitude through a semantic analogy, or forming a link between physical appearance and personality. Wearing gray pajama pants and a comfortable fleece sweatshirt while holding a dark cloth blanket, I have understood in my mind that she likes to be cozy and secure. She seems to be a girl with a very soft nice voice, even though I have never heard her talk. As ?the girl sitting to my left? uses earphones while at the computer, I put together that she probably is very considerate of others. These assumptions could, for all I know is false and inaccurate, but as a human being I realize my judgments on others. I came t...

... middle of paper ...

...of him as clumsy and stupid. Stupidity is a common label people tend to place others.

Stephen, a recent friend of mine, appeared by his diction, attitude, and demeanor to be a person not of high intelligence or extensive vocabulary at all. As I came to find out, Stephen was very smart, earning a high school GPA of 3.8, and having intentions of a political science pre-law major.

Furthermore, you justly cannot judge a book by its cover. Throughout not only my experiments, but also my experiences I have grasped a great comprehension of how people form quick assumptions about others. Through my first-hand experiments and acquaintances I have seen human nature, and in the course of my observations I learned that we all, even myself, are victims of this judgmental view of others. Impressions, formed by all people, truly affect your interactions in everyday life.

Show More
Related

  • Perception of Others in A Separate Peave by John Knowles

    1267 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Only Phineas never was afraid, only Phineas never hated anyone. Other people experienced this fearful shock somewhere, this sighting of the enemy, and so began an obsessive labor of defense, began to parry the menace they saw facing them by developing a particular frame of mind.”(Knowles 204) John Knowles, the author of A Separate Peace states this quote to explore how some people develop defense mechanisms in order to protect themselves from any harm they may endure. Gene, the novel’s protagonist feels as though his best friend Phineas is somehow out to get him. However, Finny’s perception of his friend was utterly different from Gene’s perspective. In fact, Finny acts as a foil for Gene throughout the story, carrying a completely different outlook on things. Gene’s savage nature allows him to identify the evil within people when Finny simply acknowledges the positive traits in his friends, disregarding the concept of wickedness as a whole. Through Gene and Finny’s friendship, John Knowles illustrates the significance of how one has the ability to perceive others.

    Read More

  • The Change Of Perspective In Lucy Maude Montgomery's A Fortunate Mistake

    568 Words  | 2 Pages

    It is often people establish judgments of others based on a fragile perspective that will probably change once they actually get to know them. In Lucy Maude Montgomery's short story "A Fortunate Mistake", the Wallace sisters discover this when they thought Florrie Hamilton did not fit with them, only to find out that she is actually quite the charming girl. Their change of perspective is evident in Nan's impression of Florrie after her visit, and in Miss Braxton's girls' reactions after witnessing the blooming friendship, between Florrie and the Wallace sisters. In my experience, I have also naively based my opinions of others on what people had to say about them, which proved to be a foolish mistake that I no longer made. Although one may not be able to help but base judgments and opinions on limited perspective, it is through widening perspectives that an individual can reach a better understanding of those around.

    Read More

  • Loretta Lee Quotes

    891 Words  | 2 Pages

    People always say never judged a person by their cover, yet some of us still do it without even trying sometimes. I have done this on multiple occasions without really trying to judge a person. I once had an experience where I was trying out for a new club team and I saw this girl who looked really mean and scary because of the expression on her face. I always thought if I ever talk to her she would be mean, but one practice we started to talk and she wasn’t at all the person I thought she ways. It turns out that she is a nice person who just takes soccer very seriously. This just shows that we can have a certain opinion on someone by their looks, but they may be completely opposite from the way they appear.There’s this book call “Freak the Mighty” which has a good way of showing the theme of not judging a person

    Read More

  • Discrimination In Ageism

    1525 Words  | 4 Pages

    When an individual unintentionally enters a room full of an unfamiliar crowd, he or she is bound to be embarrassed, but also have an apprehensive sensation of how others in that room will distinguish them. A situation like that establishes a moment in which that person realizes that all eyes are gaping at that individual. Just when that person could consider forgetting what just happened, unfortunately judgments start circulating among the unfamiliar crowd. As most people know, judgments are based off of a person’s appearance, race, religion, or a quality that doesn’t appeal to the person analyzing them. Obviously, judging is something that takes place whether someone likes it or not, but there are certain limits to it that many cross by adding

    Read More

  • Forming an Opinion of Others based on Wealth

    553 Words  | 2 Pages

    Typically, 2 people will form an opinion of others within the first 3 seconds of meeting one another. The way these opinions are formed so quickly is, generally speaking, solely because of physical appearance. All too often, in our society today, people are criticized for what material possessions they have and how much money said people have to spend on things that they do not need, but instead just want. It does not matter where you go; this can be observed almost anywhere. Sometimes, when people notice that someone has cheaper clothes or less objects of purely material value, the people who have more frown upon those who have less. Ev...

    Read More

  • Stereotyping And Repression Formation

    952 Words  | 2 Pages

    Stereotyping is an adaptive mechanism, adopted by human beings, to assist in the cognitive process of impression formation. Within the social arena, we are subjected to unfamiliar people and places on a regular basis. First impressions are often formed hastily on the basis of very limited information, and assisted by the practice of stereotyping. More specifically, stereotypes can be defined as the cognitive schemas that relate to a particular social group. These cognitive schemas are mental structures that contain knowledge about a particular type of stimulus: attributes, relations, and so on (book). In terms of gendered stereotypes, these schematic structures outline how men and women ought to behave, and contribute to impression formation:

    Read More

  • Frankenstein Appearance Essay

    1257 Words  | 3 Pages

    The first impression you have when meeting someone is their appearance, which makes it easy to judge people based on how they

    Read More

  • Importance of a Therapeutic Relationship in Nursing

    1444 Words  | 3 Pages

    For example, working in a surgical ward, a nurse was discussing with other colleagues about a certain patient who was in the holding bay, talking negatively about her lifestyle choices, when approaching the patient for the first time when arriving into the suite, she refused treatment from any of the nurse staff on the shift as she was upset at the things the nurse had said. First impressions influence people’s judgments of others and their willingness to engage in any further communication (Boc and Franklin, 2013).... ... middle of paper ... ...

    Read More

  • First Impressions

    654 Words  | 2 Pages

    First impressions are created by a composite of signals given off by a new experience (Flora, 2004). The judgment of these impressions depends on the observer and the person being observed (Flora, 2004). When you meet someone for the first time it takes about three seconds to be evaluated by the observer (Mind Tools, 1996-2011,). During this time the person forms an opinion about you based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanor, and how you dress (Mind Tools, 2996-2011,). Impressions are important to us because they are impossible to be reserved and the set the tone for all the relationships that follow (Mind Tools, 1996-2011).

    Read More

  • Discussing Impression Formation

    1682 Words  | 4 Pages

    How first impressions are formed has been a subject of interest by many researchers in the area of psychology.

    Read More

  • Social Cognition

    553 Words  | 2 Pages

    Everyday people use social cognition as a tool to help them thrive in social world. There are many important aspects of social cognition that are helpful to us in making decisions and help us to interpret the world around us. An important aspect that is linked to social cognition is that of thought suppression. Thought suppression is when a person tries to force particular thoughts, memories or feelings out of their minds that may be unpleasant or may cause a great deal of stress for the individual. Many people are unaware how often we use thought suppression in our daily lives, but the truth is we use it in almost every aspect of our day.

    Read More

  • Professional Appearance: First Impressions

    970 Words  | 2 Pages

    “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” A first impression is a person’s initial mental image of another person. It is formed upon the very first meeting of two people. Everyone makes and receives first impressions. Our physical appearance is the biggest factor that influences others’ first impression toward someone else.

    Read More

  • Essay On Social Perception

    2382 Words  | 5 Pages

    Social perception is seen when individuals meet for the first time (first impression), attribution and through non-verbal communication. Social perception illustrates how people form impressions and make insinuations about other people.

    Read More

  • First Impressions

    1448 Words  | 3 Pages

    Finally, as you can see, first impressions do have a great affect on people who meet you. They are the base of all relationships. First impressions are very important socially, educationally, and employment wise. Impressions on people usually last forever. Although people have second impressions, the first ones are very important.

    Read More

  • Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Perceptions

    1049 Words  | 3 Pages

    Success is something individuals aim for through all stages of life. Succeeding at university may entail passing courses, achieving learning goals and consequently graduating, while gaining some experience and exposure. At work, success could take a different form of gaining a job, accomplishing goals, and seeking promotions. While the definition of success may differ for university students and employees at an organisation, the basic principles and skills required are very similar. Individuals require both intrapersonal and interpersonal perception in order to achieve success, whether at university or work. Skills such as self-regulation, self-monitoring, implementing goals and strategies to achieve those goals, as well as harnessing good communication skills and formal relationships are key factors to success. It is with these perceptions that individuals can gain skills that can help overcome barriers to succeed.

    Read More

More about Perception of Others

Open Document