Microsoft Word Chapter 1 done doc

6.4 HOW QUICKLY ARE FIRST IMPRESSIONS 
FORMED? AND THE ROLE OF SCHEMAS IN 
SHAPING FIRST IMPRESSIONS : 
 
We have a general tendency to quickly form first impressions 
about others. These first impressions, about others, are formed 
quickly and without any mental effort. Recent research on 
impression formation has revealed that we not only form first 
impressions of others quickly, but also that these impressions play 
a strong role in our overt actions, including the important behaviour 
of choosing between candidates for political office. Research 
studies by Willis and Todorov (2006) have revealed that when 
shown faces of strangers (male and female) individuals form first 
impressions of these people rapidly. In fact even exposure times of 
one-tenth of a second are sufficient, and increasing exposure times 
do not change the first impressions significantly. Thus, we form 

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impressions of others very quickly and often on the basis of limited 
amounts of information (e.g. their facial appearance). This has 
considerable practical significance in our interpersonal 
relationships, business meeting and other professional 
relationships. 
Implicit Personality Theories: Schemas that Shape First 
Impressions: Implicit personality theories are beliefs about what 
traits or characteristics are assumed to go together. For example, if 
some one describes a person as “helpful” and “kind” we would also 
assume him/her to be sincere. Similarly, if our friend describes a 
stranger as “practical” and “intelligent” person, we would also 
assume him/her to be ambitious. This is largely due to the schema 
we hold about people and or events. For e.g., in many societies, it 
is assumed that “what is beautiful is good” – that people who are 
attractive also possess other positive traits, such as good social 
skills and interest in enjoying good times and good things in life. 
Large number of research studies, especially those related to birth 
order and personality reveal that our impressions of others are 
often strongly shaped by our beliefs about what traits or 
characteristics go together. These beliefs are often so strong that 
we will sometimes bend our perceptions of other people to be 
consistent with them. We often form impressions of others that 
reflect our implicit beliefs more than their actual traits.