Aishwarya+Sad+RP+Post+5

First impressions are an important part of perception as a whole. There is not just one factor to influence/change perception. First impressions though are necessary specifically when trying to shape a stranger’s perception because that is what they remember the most. In the article, “You Only Get One Chance” it shows just how impressions are difficult to change. ** As the study suggests ** even telling facts about the person will not change the stranger’s impression of him/her. ** According to the author ** of the article, “First Impression is not the Last Impression” one can begin to shape the stranger’s impression by manipulating the factors they can actually change such as apparel. ** This is not to say ** that this change will definitely influence the stranger because so some factors can in fact not be changed. **It is often said** to not judge a book by its cover but people do not consciously make some of these fast judgements based on appearance. I agreed and understood this statement even before the research, but as Brooks, the author of “The Power of First Impressions” explained, the judgements part of the first impressions do not just stop at appearance. They include personality traits as well. So within a fraction of a second, a complete stranger determines what your trustworthiness, competence etc. Once again these classifications are not made consciously. They are actually the brain’s shortcuts to simplify the information it receives continuously, as the author of “How Impressions Shape the World You Live In,” Bowles stated in his article. Therefore, in many cases the reality or truth is distorted, but it is part of the normal functionings of our brain. All in all, when talking to a stranger, in order to change/shape their perception of you, it is necessary for you to take steps to manipulate their first impression as much as you possibly can.