The Psychology of First Impressions
By Daniel Retzlaff
When you walk into a room of strangers, it takes only a few seconds until someone is sizing you up. Whether they realize it or not, those strangers have decided if you’re confident, kind, or even trustworthy. It doesn’t seem fair, and yet, were the positions reversed, you would likely do the same thing. First impressions play a large part in shaping our relationships and our opportunities. But why are they so impactful? And more importantly, can we change them?
The Science Behind Snap Judgements
Psychological research suggests that first impressions form incredibly fast, with some studies showing that we make judgements about someone’s trustworthiness within 100 milliseconds of seeing their face (Willis & Todorov, 2006). These rapid assessments are likely based on our evolutionary instincts. In the wild, quick decisions about who was friend or foe was surely life or death for our ancestors (Weiniger, 2024).
Even in our modern world, these snap judgements still shape our behavior. According to the primary effect, the information that we learn first carries more importance to us than what might come later. After we form an initial impression, we tend to filter everything else through that lens. For example, if you meet someone and your initial impression is that they seem warm and enthusiastic, you’re more likely to view their future behavior in a positive light. But if they first come off as cold and distant, it can be much harder to view them positively down the line.
Whether we like it or not, it seems our brains are wired to make these quick judgments, and they often stick. But the effects of these snap impressions go far beyond just casual social encounters.
The Consequences of First Impressions
Now that we understand the basics and the science behind first impressions, we can examine how the impact of a first impression can go far beyond social settings. In job interviews, studies show that interviewers often decide within the first few seconds whether a candidate is a good fit (Kurter, 2019). First impressions can shape a teacher’s expectations, which can influence a student’s performance. This is known as the Pygmalion effect. When teachers expect certain students to succeed, those students often rise to meet those expectations, and the opposite is true as well.
These quick judgements can reinforce stereotypes. Research shows that people often base their initial impressions of someone based on their appearance, including factors like clothing, gender, age, and race (Zebrowitz, 2017). This can lead to unconscious biases and unequal opportunities.
The weight of first impressions is also seen in personal relationships. Think about a time when you met someone new and immediately felt comfortable, or vice versa when someone you met rubbed you the wrong way. That feeling often lingers, influencing how close you might become and how much you might trust them.
There is still good news. While first impressions are powerful, they’re not set in stone. The process of effortful correction, or intentionally reassessing our assumptions, can help us override our initial biases and see people more clearly. This does, however, take conscious effort. Yet it is an important step in making sure our snap judgements don’t lead us astray.
How to Make a Great Impression
So how can we use this new knowledge to our advantage when making a first impression? You can start by showing genuine interest. People love to feel seen and heard, so make sure to maintain eye contact, ask thoughtful questions, and really listen to their answers.
Nonverbal cues speak volumes, stand / sit up tall, offer a firm handshake, and smile. These simple gestures help to convey confidence. Avoid crossing your arms or avoiding eye contact, as these can signal disinterest.
Give people the benefit of the doubt. If your first impression of someone else is that they seem standoffish, consider what they might be going through, instead of writing them off. Wearing clean, appropriate clothing for the situation you’re in shows respect for both yourself and whoever you’re meeting.
What’s Next?
First impressions can happen in the blink of an eye, but now we know they work, and that they don’t have to be final. Next time you meet someone new, I want you to take a breath, be present, and remember that every new interaction is a chance to make a fresh impression. At the same time, I want you to practice giving others the grace of a second chance. Just as we hope others will look past our bad days and nervous moments, we should extend the same kindness to them. After all, there’s so much more to every person than what first meets the eye
References
Jaramillo, J. (2021). The science and power of first impressions. [Figure 2]. The University of Melbourne. https://blogs.unimelb.edu.au/science-communication/2021/10/22/the-science-and-power-of-first-impressions/
Kurter, H. (2019). Yale Exposes New Bias That Judges Interviewees Within First Few Seconds Of Interview. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/heidilynnekurter/2019/10/29/yale-exposes-new-bias-that-judges-interviewees-within-first-few-seconds-of-interview/
O'Shanassy, E (2018). How to Conduct a Professional Job Interview. [Figure 1]. Businessing. https://businessingmag.com/7039/leading/how-to-conduct-a-professional-job-interview/
Weingar, S. (2024). The Psychology of First Impressions: Appearance, Communication, and Confidence. BodyZone.com. https://bodyzone.com/the-psychology-of-first-impressions-appearance-communication-and-confidence/
Willis, J., & Todorov, A. (2006). First Impressions: Making Up Your Mind After a 100-Ms Exposure to a Face. Psychological Science, 17(7), 592–598. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2006.01750.x
Zebrowitz, L. A. (2017). First Impressions From Faces. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 26(3), 237-242. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721416683996