A glimpse at first impressions

Often we can find ourselves in situations at work where we’re expected to make important decisions based on very limited and very brief information. This then could call into effect our capacity to make inferences and assumptions about a person, group, object or situation in order to ‘fill in the gaps’. It’s this process of filling in the gaps that’s made first impressions such a fascinating area of study.

We’re all very good at making wider assumptions based on flashes of information; it’s the way we’re inherently wired. In more primitive times, if we heard rustling in the bushes or a threatening growl while wandering around, we didn’t linger long to gather more information. Instead, we made assumptions and snap decisions to flee or fight as a means of securing our own survival. The same goes nowadays with first impressions. In an experiment, where brain activity was monitored and recorded, researchers found that a single glance at another person’s face led to first impressions being formed in anything from 33 to 100 milliseconds.

When meeting someone new, it takes great restraint to avoid forming judgements about that person’s personality traits, goals, intentions or even habits from the limited information presented. And these first impressions are surprisingly durable too, potentially lasting months or even years – and they’re difficult to overwrite. Think, for example, about a latecomer to a meeting. We might make assumptions about their disorganisation, carelessness, or disloyalty. Even if they turn up at every subsequent meeting 15 minutes early, many people will still remember their initial tardiness and stick to their original assumption.

So, what do we know about first impressions? 

Displaying behaviours

As a ‘displayer’  (i.e., the person of whom first impressions are being formed), you might need to think about your impression management. In interviews and negotiations, the window for first impressions generally lies within the first five minutes while, for new leaders, first impressions of their capabilities might span the first two weeks. According to various studies, other findings have emerged that bolster a positive first impression:

• Well-fitting clothes indicate success.

• Maintaining eye contact during conversations has led to perceptions of intelligence and charisma.

• A calm and confident facial expression, smiling, straight posture, leaning slightly forward during discourse and mimicking a conversation partner’s body language is said to convey greater trustworthiness.

• Lower voice pitch and stable rate of speech has been found to indicate greater leadership qualities.

• A looser gait is associated with higher extraversion and adventurousness.

Perceiving behaviours

As a ‘perceiver’ (i.e., the person of whom first impressions are being formed), on the other hand, the advice is to evaluate with caution. If you search online, there’s a vast array of unevidenced tips and hints about body language cues, ranging from crossed arms suggesting coldness, to eye movement during speech indicating truth or lies. The concern is that many of these are presented as ‘facts’ (when, in fact, many of these guidelines are nonsense). So, when making assumptions about someone’s behaviour, attitude or personality, try also to consider the context and ensure you're not placing too much weight on superficial nuances in someone's behaviour.

We also know first impressions can be powerful and very much prone to bias. There is often a difference in how perceivers respond to the same cues, for example. This, then, raises questions about the accuracy of first impressions. In fact, there have been calls from numerous professionals and researchers to scrap job interviews as they’re often found to be prone to inaccurate assumptions, and use instead more effective data-driven and objective procedures.

Whichever route you choose, consideration is always important before elaborating on first impressions - simply because they’re powerful and difficult to change. They are also subjective and prone to inaccuracies. While it’s difficult to avoid making first impressions, especially in fast-paced working environments, the most important thing we can all do is be wary, considerate and forgiving. A first impression is prone to error and shouldn’t always be the one that lasts.