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Implicit personality theory and Halo effect

published February 3, 2010

It is funny how we categorize people when we first meet them. We all have automatic cognitive processes which help us to process huge amount of information available to us.  We associate particular behavior with our previous experiences and quite quickly decide what is this new person like when we meet her for the first time. This first impression is strengthened in our internal thinking later. So, getting the first impression right seems like an important thing.

In addition, if we find out that a person has one outstanding trait we have a tendency to associate other positive qualities for that person. This is called the Halo effect. For example in job interview you should look your best and try to really excel in some area.

Implicite personality theory on the other hand states that there are some traits when associated to a person will alter our general expectations about that person. A good example are words “cold” and “warm”. By describing a person intelligent, fast-paced and cold we will “freeze” the whole image. Suddenly “intelligent” does not sound same as it would if that person would be described as intelligent, fast-paced and warm. So it is not all the same how we describe a person, some words are more influential than others.

Samuli @ 20:15 (No Comments)

tags: Social psychology

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