We all have been in a situation where we meet new people for the first time. Either enrolling in a new school, interviewing for a job, or just simply going to a party and meeting new people who happen to be at the party as well; our lives are filled with first encounters and we develop impressions about those people we encounter. To simplify the understanding a first impression is “like a Polaroid picture” (Flora,2004). They are brief snapshots that we use to gain physical knowledge about the new people we make. Along with the pre-determined values and ideas we conceptualize what a person may or may not be like. With a sheer glance at person we instantly have a generalization about a person without even saying a word. With these first impressions it is important for people to project a good first impression so as not to be seen negatively with pre-determined judgments. Falling into the trap of appearing negative can have adverse affects of what people will think. No matter what the impending conversation holds, a person’s first impression is what will stick the most. In the two scenarios of John as either an extrovert or as an introvert, the words paint a picture of what we think of a person only based off brief moments and sudden accounts. Each account allows us to formulate an opinion about John and what type of person he is only based off a couple of paragraphs. John in the first scenario is described as an extrovert, or “a friendly person who likes being with and talking to other people; an outgoing person” (Extrovert, 2012). John wants to be around people and likes to talk to people. He finds joy in being around others, and he projects that in the confidence he offers. When other people see him they are hard pressed not to ... ... middle of paper ... ...scriptions. This is not the best way to understand how a person works or acts, conversation is eventually the ultimate way to do that. The first impression does show that it is important to show off the goods. Employers and people we network with have to make snap judgments about people, and these first impressions are the foundation to these meetings. So making the most of our first impressions really goes a long way in attracting people to like you. References Extrovert. (2012). In Merriam-Webster: Learner's Dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/extrovert Flora, C. (2004, June). The once-over can you trust first impressions?. Psychology Today, 37(3), 60-66. Master FILE Premier, Retrieved from EBSCOhost Introvert. (2012). In Merriam-Webster: Learner's Dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/introvert
Americans sometimes have trouble making first impressions.Although many factors can affect someone's first impression, Statistic show that 55 percent of first impressions is actually about appearance and body language. Which means depending on how someones day is going can potentially affect their first impression.How people first present themselves the first time they meet can change they way someone may view their character.
First impressions are usually lasting impressions. Within the first thirty seconds, without any conscious effort, an image or opinion is formed influenced by cues perceived by our sensory organs. Though sometimes misleading, first impressions can be an accurate representation of a person, and once formed very difficult to change. Ability to assess at such a rate exhibits the involvement of the senses working together and the complexity each one may contribute. The role of Olfaction is studied (Sorokowska, 2013) in relation to accurately identifying first impression personality traits based solely on body odor.
When meeting someone for the first time you are trying to do two things and so is the person you are meeting. The first thing each of you are doing is trying to size up and understand what type of person the other is. The second thing is that you both are trying to get the other person to see you in a certain way by the words said and unsaid and the actions done and not done. You both are acting in one way or another or putting on a performance so that the person you are meeting gets to see you as you are (gets to see you act as you do everyday) or as you want them to see you (act the in a way that makes them believe that this is the way you act in your day-to-day life).
Norton, M. I., Frost, J. H., & Ariely, D. (2011). Does familiarity breed contempt or liking? Comment on Reis, Maniaci, Caprariello, Eastwick, and Finkel (2011). Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101(3), 571-574. doi:10.1037/a0023202
The first speech a person delivers can make or break other people’s initial impressions of
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 ... ...
Encountering new people is a frequent occurrence. To familiarize oneself with strangers, people create generalizations. As generalizations are accumulated, people can categorize and sort strangers into stereotypes. Therefore, generalizations constitute the way people view the world. Since generalizations are quick and often inaccurate judgements, the fine line between appearance and reality can be blurred.
The findings from the experiments of current and past researchers bear considerable similarity to the findings of my own experiment conducted as primary research. While each experiment examined dealt with slightly different variables, each one was able to further support the hypothesis that one’s positive physical characteristics, such as nice dress, appearance, and a positive expression, will cause others to perceive one to have more positive traits such as trustworthiness and goodness. This is demonstrated first off in the Clark Doll Test, whose results showed that society can impress upon anyone goodness and badness related to a physical characteristic, such as race. Next, the 1984 voter manipulation experiment demonstrated
Impression management is a social phenomenon that occurs in our daily life both consciously and unconsciously. “It is the act of presenting a favorable public image of oneself so that others will form positive judgments.” (Newman 184) Our first impressions of a person are always based on physical appearance and we compare them to the norms of our society. We can all admit to the initial meeting of a person and first noticing their age, gender, race, or other ascribed characteristics. Our cultural norms are ideas such that fat is “ugly” which are very different across societies and time. Also, impression management is an idea of how individuals interact in different social situations. “Sociologists refer to dramaturgy as the study of social interactions as theater, in which people (“actors”) project images (“play roles”) in front of others (“the audience”).” (Newman 169) This is our human need for acceptance and way of managing the impressions we give others and perform what we think people want to see. Our social life is governed by this concept but it only works with effective front-stage and back-stage separation. Our front-stage is the visible part of ourselves that we allow others to see unlike our hidden back-stage self.
Gilovich, T., Keltner, D., Chen, S., Nisbett, R. E. (2013). Social psychology. New York, NY:
The first impression you have when meeting someone is their appearance, which makes it easy to judge people based on how they
Nauert, Rick. (2009). “First Impressions Are Important For Trusting Relationship.” PsychCentral. Online. Available: http://psychcentral.com/news /2009/01/08/first-impressions-are-important-for-trusting-relationship/3600.html. 4 March 2011.
This can be due to their naturally serene personalities. Getting through most situations is fairly easily and done with very little difficulty. People who tend to shy away from the public or their surroundings know how to figure out certain situations on their own, this can be understood because introverts thrive on their own. Quiet places and natural environments energize Introverts not only mentally but physically as well. In the article “5 Reasons Introverts Make Better Leaders” by Bruna Martinuzzi, it states “Introverts are not only quieter than extroverts, but they're also generally calm and collected. In noisy and chaotic organizations, which are often cauldrons of emotion, an introvert's presence is like a salve to the psyche. Their quiet energy is a hidden asset.” Introverts are better emotionally in particularly difficult situations. This makes them preeminent listeners whereas an extrovert may want to be the one sharing all the ideas, doing all the talking and none of the listening. Introverts are humble and keep clear of being in the limelight because they let their skills and talents do all the talking. "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” - Matthew
“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.
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.