Route+to+Perception+(Aishwarya+Sadh)

The most important factor in one’s future is social interaction. No matter one’s occupation, location or lifestyle, one needs to know how to be able to interact with others successfully. Most of the time, the conversation consists not only of small talk but in depth discussions. Every conversation has the goal of persuading the other. The conservation may be casual or professional, but all the speakers at the end are trying to change each others way of thinking, trying to change each others’ perception on a certain topic. This end goal though becomes more difficult when one is trying to change a stranger’s perception. Most times influencing a stranger’s perception begins before the conversation even starts. First impressions are immediately going to influence how the stranger perceives the other (Kim). Therefore, in order to shape the other’s perception, it is necessary to first change/ influence the stranger’s first impression. First impressions consist of mostly visual communication, body language (McCarthy). It is also unconscious and quick (Kim). Nicholas Rule, a researcher at the University of Toronto says “As soon as one sees another person, an impression is formed.” So it only takes a fraction of a second to decide how you feel about the other person (Kim). The classifications that are part of the first impression are not only physical such as race, gender or age but also include personality traits. Therefore, at a first glance, a stranger determines dominance, trustworthiness, competence etc. Specific facial features are sometimes associated with certain personality traits (Brooks). So already the ability to shape the stranger’s perception are limited. These judgements made from the first impression are often “a false realization” (Mayzak). These classifications and impressions are only the brain’s short cuts. Instead of going through all the information that it gathers thoroughly, the brain often averages/summarizes it. Thus, often producing a false reality (Bowles). These scientific facts prove that it is difficult to change the other’s perception, especially when much of the stranger’s perception of us is dependent on his/her first impression. We do not know what specific external factors go into creating the stranger’s impression of us, since “what seems normal on our end can seem odd on another” (Linden). The best we can do is try to change the environment so the first impression has a greater chance of being positive. While it is possible to shape the other’s perception of us even after a negative first impressions, it obviously becomes significantly more difficult (McCathy). Therefore, the one must try to avoid that scenario by making changes to the physical environment and as well as appearance. One obvious solution is to dress for the occassion, dress according to the situation (McCathy). Another seemingly simple change is to behavior, so be polite, open, confident, positive, etc (Sardhar). In other situations, changing appearance and behavior is not enough to influence the first impression. So the next step would be to change the environment and the level of interaction. If the stranger is merely observing another through video or in person, the impressions are going to be more negative. Whereas, actually talking face to face would have about the same amount of positive and negative first impressions. In live settings people rely more on their gut feeling, which would be their first impression. On the other hand, one would use more abstract thinking when viewing a stranger’s online profile. Thus, trying to shape the other person’s perception becomes more dependent on the first impression in a face to face conversation. Lets say the first impression you made was negative. One of the few things you can do is see/ talk to the other person at different locations. His/her first impression is not going to change if he/she only sees you in one context (Navert). First impressions are difficult to influence; the factors that go into forming them are not always ones that you are able to control. Nevertheless, one’s perception of you is still dependent on these impressions, especially with strangers at the start of a relationship. Therefore, if you are determined to shape the other person’s perception of you, you must first learn to manipulate the aspects of first impressions that you can actually control.

Works Cited

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Society for Personality and Social Psychology. "Even fact will not change first impressions." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 February 2014. < [|__www.sciencedaily.com__] / [|__releases__] / [|__2014/02/140214111207.htm__]. >

Kim, Jen. “You Only Get One Chance.” Psychology Today. 24 Feb. 2014. Sussex Publishing, LLC. Web. 10 Jun, 2014. < http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/valley-girl-brain/201402/you-only-get-one-chance.>

McCarthy, Nancy. “First Impressions, Are You Standing in Your Own Way.” NVTC. DC Rainmakers. Web. 10 Jun, 2014. < https://www.nvtc.org/tec/downloads/McCarthy1.pdf.>

Sardhar, Mohamed. “First Impressions is Not The Last Impression-Changing.” Cite HR. Akamai. Web. 10 Jun. 2014. < http://www.citehr.com/38340-first-impression-not-last-impression-changing.html.>

Mayzak, Ian. “Ultimate Ends and Shallow Beginnings.” All Poetry. Web. 10 Jun. 2014. < http://allpoetry.com/poem/11471748-Ultimate-Ends-and-Shallow-Beginnings-by-Ian-Mayzak.>

Linden, Sarah. “Perception.” All Poetry. Web. 10 Jun. 2014. < http://allpoetry.com/poem/11484589-Perception-by-Sarah-vdL. >

Brooks, Anna. “The Power of First Impressions.” ABC Science. 19 Jun. 2013. ABC Science. Web. 10 Jun. 2014. < http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2013/06/19/3730585.htm.>

Bowles, Carter. “How Impressions Shape the World You Live In.” Trending Sideways. 7 Jan. 2012. Disqus. Web. 10 Jun. 2014. < http://trendingsideways.com/index.php/how-impressions-shape-the-world-you-live-in/. >