The first impression is not necessarily always very accurate and correct, but nevertheless it largely decides whether we will pay more attention to this person and get to know him better or, on the contrary, we will prefer to devote our attention to someone else. While the first impression is far from rational and analytical, we can infer which characteristics of others we evaluate when we meet for the first time. In the article, read what you judge other people by when you meet them (and what they actually judge you by).
Knowing what characteristics others judge about us can help us make a better first impression.
Are you a trustworthy person?
It takes us about a tenth of a second to decide whether the person we first came into contact with is trustworthy. Researchers from Princeton University found this out based on of this experiment. The first group of participants had one tenth of a second to decide whether the person in the photo was trustworthy or not. Another group of participants had unlimited time to make this decision. The answers of the two groups corresponded to a very large extent.
Are you available
This study showed that women with tattoos are perceived as more accessible and open. Accessibility can be a double-edged sword - on the one hand, it allows us to have more social contacts, but on the other hand, it also makes us more vulnerable to possible manipulation and emotional wounds or even abuse.
How important is it to you to be a leader?
This research found that we perceive bald or clean-shaven men as more dominant and with better leadership skills. Participants reported that they found bald/shaven men to be braver, stronger and even taller. This effect only applies to completely bald/shaved men. Maybe the stereotypes imposed on us by movies have a hand in it.
How successful you are
At the first meeting, we decide very quickly how successful our interlocutor is. Research showed that men who wear clothes that fit like a glove are rated as more successful, while women are rated as more successful if they are dressed somewhat conservatively.
How confident you are
When we meet someone for the first time, we usually shake hands. This is the moment when we judge this person's self-confidence. According to the psychological insights, a strong and just-right-long handshake communicates a healthy amount of self-confidence.
READ MORE: 14 habits to give up if you want to live a happier life
