First impressions are surprisingly accurate

This is an automatically translated article.

In everyday life, we have been told not to jump to conclusions when we first meet someone. However, new research shows that the conclusions, first impressions in that communication are surprisingly accurate.

1. Why is first impression important?

More than 100 undergraduate students at the University of Texas participated in a study as subjects or personality evaluators. The judges were able to correctly guess the personalities of the subjects based solely on the pictures.
The study was carried out as follows: Two photographs were taken of the subjects. In one, they pose the way the researchers told them to: look straight at the camera, not smiling, right leg outstretched, arms outstretched.
Another picture, they are taken in spontaneous, natural poses. Their actual personalities were assessed based on questionnaires they filled out themselves, as well as questionnaires completed by people who knew them well.
The judges then rate the subjects based on the photos to find 10 personality traits. Even just looking at the poses, the judges were able to correctly guess three traits: Extroversion, self-esteem, and religion. When looking at more impromptu photos, the judges were able to correctly guess almost all the features.
University of Texas researcher Sam Gosling said: “We've known for a long time that people jump to conclusions about other people based on very little information, even on the basis of something as simple as a single photo.”
Extroverts tend to smile more, walk in an energetic and low-stress manner, look healthy, neat and stylish.
The researchers concluded that , the results "suggest that personality is expressed through both static appearance and expressive channels, with observers using this information to make accurate judgments for a variety of traits". Alternatively, perhaps you can judge a book by its cover.

2. What factors make a first impression?

In a study, scientists discovered that first impressions are most often influenced by nonverbal communication and body language. They found that clothes, hairstyles, accessories, and other aspects of a person's physical appearance seem to have a smaller effect on first impressions.
However, scientists also acknowledge that it is difficult to measure or evaluate first impressions scientifically, because the factors associated with social desire are highly subjective.
Research by other scientists also supports the idea that facial cues and body language have the strongest impact on first impressions. They have determined that people who strongly express their emotions non-verbally - with their facial expressions and body language, for example, are more liked than those who are less expressive.
So it seems that just expressing, especially expressing positive feelings and thoughts, can make a good first impression. These emotions can be expressed through body shape, posture, eye contact, tone of voice, mouth position, and eyebrow shape.

3. How quickly are first impressions created?

According to scientists, a person begins to form an impression of a person after seeing their face less than 1/10th of a second. We then decide if the person is attractive, trustworthy, competent, outgoing, or dominant.
So a person's first impression is made very quickly. Some scientists think they happen too quickly to be very precise. There are stereotypes that people have associated with certain physical traits, and these stereotypes can greatly influence first impressions.
Politicians are often seen as more capable. Those with a more serious and tough appearance would be interpreted as having the upper hand and placed in a higher rank just because of their appearance.
When it comes to faces and first impressions, you need to realize that faces are complicated. We have paid close attention to even the smallest changes or differences in the face.
A face with a positive expression and rounder, more feminine features seems more believable. On the other hand, negative expressions and tough, masculine looks tend to make faces appear less believable.

4. How to make a first impression in communication

Various facial features are associated with impressions including dominance, extraversion, competence, and threat. These traits immediately influence how we begin to treat another person.
How first impressions affect a person's life depends on the situation in which their appearance is judged.
Based on science, it's not surprising that people put so much emphasis on facial evaluation. When you were babies, the object you looked at the most were the faces of the people around you. All the time you look at faces leads to the development of their facial emotion recognition skills.
While science suggests that making judgments based on other people's expressions and looks is a fairly inaccurate way to get to know a person, first impressions don't go away quickly. Making a good first impression can bring big benefits: More friends, good partners, higher salaries, and other perks.
Based on the science of first impressions, here are some tips to help you achieve first impressions in communication:
Keep your facial expressions soft and warm; Smile and relax your facial muscles; Don't squint to avoid looking angry; Keep your body posture comfortable and stand straight; Maintain eye contact when you meet or talk to others.; Wear clean, well-fitting and appropriate clothing; Make sure your hair, hands and body are clean; Speak in a clear, warm voice. In short, when meeting someone new, the first few seconds to minutes are really important. So it's worth thinking about how to make a good first impression.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

References: webmd.com, healthline.com, livescience.com