Impact of a first impression
The Impact of a First Impression It has commonly been stated that one is never given second chance to make a great first impression. Everyday we have numerous interactions, where opportunities come and go in an instant, like sliding doors opening and closing. Ideally, we want to seize these moments in a favorable way. It is of great importance to understand how our human behaviors effect the first impressions we give others.
Importance of First Impressions By definition an impression is, “a characteristic, trait, or feature resulting from some influence” (Merriam-Webster Incorporated, 2013). During the brief moments a first impression is made, someone else has determined their initial opinions of you based a number of verbal and nonverbal factors. Preparing for your first impression and possibly making minor adjustments can help you to obtain a desired outcome.
First impressions play a major role in both personal and professional interactions. In a business setting, a good first impression could result in being hired for a job or obtaining a large account. Whereas, in a social setting, a good first impression might impact whether someone of interest asks you out on a date or talks to you in a bar.
The Brain’s Role in a First Impression
Macfarlane (2008) stated that the human brain function is not only responsible for logic and creativity, but also where our instincts are developed. First impressions are determined as being favorable or not based on such instincts. Upon receiving a person’s verbal and nonverbal cues, the gatekeeper part of our brain will enter a fight or flight mode (Macfarlane 2008). During this mode, messages are either accepted or rejected. If we instinctually have a bad first impression of someone, the opportunity to communicate further will not be received.
My First Impression of John Upon reading the situations of John the extrovert followed by John the introvert, I created a first impression of him. Each scenario
Importance of First Impressions By definition an impression is, “a characteristic, trait, or feature resulting from some influence” (Merriam-Webster Incorporated, 2013). During the brief moments a first impression is made, someone else has determined their initial opinions of you based a number of verbal and nonverbal factors. Preparing for your first impression and possibly making minor adjustments can help you to obtain a desired outcome.
First impressions play a major role in both personal and professional interactions. In a business setting, a good first impression could result in being hired for a job or obtaining a large account. Whereas, in a social setting, a good first impression might impact whether someone of interest asks you out on a date or talks to you in a bar.
The Brain’s Role in a First Impression
Macfarlane (2008) stated that the human brain function is not only responsible for logic and creativity, but also where our instincts are developed. First impressions are determined as being favorable or not based on such instincts. Upon receiving a person’s verbal and nonverbal cues, the gatekeeper part of our brain will enter a fight or flight mode (Macfarlane 2008). During this mode, messages are either accepted or rejected. If we instinctually have a bad first impression of someone, the opportunity to communicate further will not be received.
My First Impression of John Upon reading the situations of John the extrovert followed by John the introvert, I created a first impression of him. Each scenario