As humans, we innately form immediate impressions about those we meet.
For over 15 years, social psychologist and Harvard Business professor, Amy Cuddy, and her colleagues, Susan Fiske and Peter Glick, have been examining first impressions, arriving at a very interesting conclusion.
And no, physical appearance isn’t the primary factor.
Cuddy has authored a book, Presence, that details many of the study’s findings. The book states that when we meet someone for the first time, we unconsciously ask ourselves two vital questions:
First: Can I trust this person?
Second: Can I respect this person?
In a nutshell, this initial judgment is one of whether we feel good or bad about this person. Warmth and competence are the two critical variables, accounting for approximately 80 percent of our overall evaluations of people.
According to Cuddy, though the majority of people would prefer to be perceived as capable, especially when it comes to interviewing for a job opening, trustworthiness and warmth play a bigger part in first impressions.
States Cuddy, “From an evolutionary perspective, it is more crucial to our survival to know whether a person deserves our trust.”
For over 15 years, social psychologist and Harvard Business professor, Amy Cuddy, and her colleagues, Susan Fiske and Peter Glick, have been examining first impressions, arriving at a very interesting conclusion.
And no, physical appearance isn’t the primary factor.
Cuddy has authored a book, Presence, that details many of the study’s findings. The book states that when we meet someone for the first time, we unconsciously ask ourselves two vital questions:
First: Can I trust this person?
Second: Can I respect this person?
In a nutshell, this initial judgment is one of whether we feel good or bad about this person. Warmth and competence are the two critical variables, accounting for approximately 80 percent of our overall evaluations of people.
According to Cuddy, though the majority of people would prefer to be perceived as capable, especially when it comes to interviewing for a job opening, trustworthiness and warmth play a bigger part in first impressions.
States Cuddy, “From an evolutionary perspective, it is more crucial to our survival to know whether a person deserves our trust.”
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