First Impressions

Definition

First impressions are the initial judgments or evaluations we make about someone based on their appearance, behavior, or other observable characteristics. These impressions can have a powerful impact on our perceptions and interactions with others.

Related terms

Stereotypes: Preconceived beliefs or assumptions about certain groups of people that can influence our first impressions.

Primacy Effect: The tendency for information presented early on to have a stronger impact on our initial impressions than information presented later.

Halo Effect: The cognitive bias where one positive trait or characteristic influences how we perceive an individual as a whole.