First Impressions: Their Power, Limits, and Lasting Impact

First impressions play a crucial role in human interactions, often shaping how individuals perceive one another during initial encounters. These impressions are formed within seconds or minutes and are influenced by a combination of physical appearance, body language, tone of voice, and verbal communication. Research in psychology suggests that people rely on first impressions to make rapid judgments about others’ personality traits, trustworthiness, competence, and intentions. While these initial perceptions can provide valuable insights, they may also be biased, incomplete, or misleading, highlighting both the power and limitations of first impressions.…