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Transcript of First Impressions
First Impressions
Jamie Gomez
Everyone has first impressions.
You had a first impression when you
first glanced at this book.
Consciously or not you tried to figure
out the content by looking at the
front cover.
We as humans can use our first
impressions of others as a defense
mechanism. We can choose things
that we don’t feel are going to be of
any use, a waste of time or a
potentially dangerous situation in a
matter of seconds simply from a
negative first impression.
If you look or talk to a stranger, it
is easily possible to create a life
story for them based on the way
they are dressed, talk or behave.
We deconstruct this information and
create a first impression judged by
out perceptions without gaining a
full understanding. of the subject.
Based on their personal first
impression, most graphic designers
try to gain meaning from everything
visual around them, but by having a
deeper knowledge and understanding
of first impressions, the
communication in your design will
improve.
It is very important, when visually
communicating, to try and break this
barrier and think in different ways.
Try and see the world through the
eyes of the person you are trying to
communicate with and understand
what their first impressions are.
What turns them on and off?
To further understand how first
impressions work I have tried to
understand the first impressions of
people and from that I will be able
to transfer the skills to good graphic
design.
The idea is to ask people one
question and hopefully from their
answers I could gain a deeper
understanding of first impressions.
The interesting thing about this idea
is that when you ask people this
question, you already have a first
impression imprinted into your mind.
When the question is answered, you
are often shocked and the way you
deconstruct first impressions starts to
change.
Test yourself and see if your first
impressions are correct.
Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover. Its Easier Said Than Done.
5
What do you think people’s first impression is of you?
7
48
Yeah, I’ have got a friendly face,
everyone loves my face.
Connor
I guess I am upbeat, enthusiastic,
well I hope so. I never want to
offend anyone, thats why I always
try to appear approachable and
treat everyone how I would want
to be treated.
Mattheias
9
10
I reckon that my first impression is
that I am approachable and friendly.
I have to be, because if I was not,
I should really not be a comedy
club promoter.
Kosta
11
I feel like people look at me and
think I am dangerous. I get the
feeling that people feel uncertain
around me.
Roy
12
13
Yeah, like I said, I’m busy
Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?
No, I’m busy.
You’re waiting for a bus
14
15
16
Vincent I would say I am good looking and
relaxed, well thats the impression that
I try to give off.
I think that everyone has an ideal
first impression, its whether they
create it or not.
17
We’re approachable, I hope that we
come across that way, if we didnt
then we are not really doing our
job well.
Lisa & Terry
18
Good looking. Arrogant.
Fashionable. Enough said really...
Andrew & Gabriel
19
I would say that I am easy to know,
happy, smiley and approachable,
although not alot of people do
approach me.
Antti
20
21
You alright mate, do you mind if I
ask you a few questions?
Nah, Nah, I saw that you are
giving out cd’s and I wanted to ask
you what type of tunes you make.
Sounds good man, can I get a copy?
Here ya go, here is 3 quid.
The Cd is blank
Your not from the council are you?
Oh yeah, ha, no worries man, yeah I
make everything man, indie with hip
hop over the top, yeah man, its new
and its fresh.
Yeah of course man, pay how ever
much you think its worth.
22
In order to become more sensitive to body language we have to get feedback on how accurate our interpretations and impressions are.
C. Kleinke (1975)
23
Nevid, J, S, Rathus (2007)
It is important to make a positive first impression, especially because first impressions tend to become lasting impressions.
24
I a’m good looking, thats about it.
Just one good looking guy.
Tony
25
I am a phycologist, I find it very
interesting that you have asked me
this question, because it is a very
difficult question to answer. I would
say that I am absent minded.
Makku
26
I do not know. People normally say
I am straight talking, I do not know
if that is the impression I give off.
I do not go around giving opinions,
if people ask me to give my opinion,
I do.
Lin
27
I think that people look at me and
think, “mum” because its what I am
and I base my life around
my children.
Margret
28
I would say the same thing, as
margret, I’m a grandma, I love my
grand children, and when people
normally look at an old person, they
always think the same thing, old or
grandparent.
Beth
29
AndyA lot of people think I am a police
man, because of the uniform.
Out of my work clothes I would
say I am quite arrogant, very loud
and very chatty, I wont be quiet for
more than five minutes.
30
31
32
33
I think people would think I am shy.I’m quite loud, people normally look
at me like, “what a weirdo.”
I would rather not say
Selena AlisonI recon people look at me think I’m
good looking, ha, oh my god that
sounded so bad, but I am
quite pretty.
BeccaAlex
34
My first impression would be, “oh
dont mess with him, he looks a
bit tough guy, when infact I am the
most harmless guy you wi’ll meet.
I think its the hair or lack of, that
gives the impression I’m a hard nut.
I’m a pianist. would not have
thought that would ya?
Jay
3535
I’’’’ would say I appear focused.
I know what I want and I know how
to get it. If I dont know how to get
it, i’ll find out.
Dave
36
Look I dont have time for your
questions and stuff, I can’t stop and talk because I have lots of contracts
with many important people. I’m a
busy man you know.
Gold men
37
Anthony &
People look at us and think we’’re a
happy couple because thats what
we are.
Miriam
38
Tim, Joe,
What? Right now? People probably
think we look like a bunch of idiots.
What more would you expect on a
stag do.
Dan & Robin
39
I am a teacher, so it depends
whether the person views me at
work or not. at work, I’m that teacher
that no one messes with, and I have
created that impression. Outside of
work, I give off the impression of just
a normal person, casual.
Linda
40
41
I’m not doing any of your pschycology shit mate
42
Piss off and just let me get on with
my work, alright?
Bin Man
43
44
Approachable. I have to be. If I was
not approachable, you wouldnt have
picked to choose me to talk to. It
is important for my job that I am
approachable, otherwise I would not
make any money and lose my job.
Soueff
45
People think I’m wild because of the
hair, the piercings and my outer
image. I think that puts people off
getting to know me.
I’m down to earth, people just dont
bother to get to know me because
of my outer shell.
Joanne
Well, I’ve got a story to tell about
that. To cut a long story short, or not,
I was in the car, totally disorientated
and saw a car coming towards me
with a woman driving. There was
a woman and a man in the car
together and she had her hand over
her mouth screaming, and thats when
I realised that something had
happened to me and it wasn’t somebody else.
Then, I thought oh my, ‘I can feel wetness’. I was drinking a can of
orange at the time and I thought that
it had just gone all over me and then
I realised the car was full of smoke
and I could smell petrol and I thought,
If I don’t get out of here I’m going to
be dead.I went into fight mode. and
I thought I’ ’ve got to get out of the car.
The car was totally buckled from
behind and the two back doors were
buckled inwards. I leaned across to
the passenger side and I looked at
the door and knew I wouldn’t be able to open it. I noticed that the drivers
side door next to the seat I was
sitting in was the only way out.
Anyway, I thought, if nobody is going
to help me, I’ve got to help myself.
So I leaned back, I was in absolute
agony from the impact and you know
where you get hit and your body
goes in to safety mode.I kicked the
bottom of the door 3 times and that
didn’’t work.
I could see people coming towards
me, so it wasn’’t so frightening, but I thought I was going to blow up
because of the smell of petrol. So in
the end, I went at the door with my
shoulder. I counted 1, 2, 3, and just
pushed and luckily for me, it played
a bit off. I played rugby at school,
and it came in handy. They say that
the things you learn in school are not
useful, but they really do, no matter
which class you are in.
I just left all of my things and got
out of the car.
I made my way back to the place
where my car was, in a lay-by, by
the side of the road at which two or
three people came along and were
going, ’‘are you ok, are you ok?’.
One man was really calm and said ‘listen your fine, it wasn’’t your fault’. I didn’t really understand at the time,
but he went on to say, “‘‘‘it was his
fault’ to which I asked“‘‘‘ ’’’’’who?’. He looked over to a black 5 series Bmw,
very nice car, sitting on a grass verge
with the air pads inflated.
An elder woman and gentle man
stepped out of the car like they
were going on a walk in the woods.
They walked up towards me and my
concern was for me, not them. I said
“are you ok in that car?” Because I didn’’t know what happened, at which
point the guy who was standing beside me said yeah don’t worry
The man from the Bmw just looked
at me, didn’t say anything and just walked away. He never even spoke
to me, didn’t ask if I was ok or say
sorry, nothing.
Do you know something?
I have got very good recall and I can
remember his facial expression, If I
had someone who could draw his
face, I could reconstruct his face.
I remember he had really blood-shot
eyes, so he was hungover. that’s my
opinion, hung over or bereaved.
It was all very strange, because when
I was in the ambulance, the two
technicians were talking and were
saying, “’what the hell was
going on with that man? was he not
looking where he was going?’”
I survived all that, this was one of
the reasons I wanted to come to
london for a weekend cause I used
to live in london, and it was one of
the happiest times in my life.
Similarly i lived in brighton.
Going back to your question, what do
people think when they see me?
I think a lot of people are interested
to find out about me, to ask me
things. I mean, when I was sitting
here for example, a homeless man
started talking to me about he
needed to get six pounds to get into
a hostel, and there were two young
people who obviously had been out
clubbing and haven’’t gone home yet,
who left that water and 10 cigarettes
behind. The girl said, ‘‘‘‘“oh come on,
lets just get a beer and get it over
and done with’’.
So yeah, long answer, but the short
answer would be, I would like to
think, they don’’t think too much about
what I’m all about. In life I think its very important to look at other people
and be interested in other people, but
not too be too intrusive. Even if you
are lost in a foreign city.
My first impressions of other people
have come on a whole load of things,
my upbringing, my educations, the
fact that I’’ve lived in different places around the world, I’’ve travelled a lot,
If you don’t travel and experience different things then your first
Matt
46
impressions are extremely limited.
Exposure definitely helps with first
impressions, the more you are willing
to adventure and try new things, the
less you judge and the more you are
willing to find out. If you go about
judging everything on your first
impressions you will discard info,
friendships, knowledge and many
other things.
Consumerism has a lot to do with
first impressions. Consumerism preys
on peoples desires and needs and
wants and wishes. On my keys I
have this little card for Tesco, and I
detest going into Tesco. You go in
there now and everything is under
one roof. Great. But its only Tesco
brands.
Sometimes I say no on purpose. If
someone tries a hard sale, I will not
respond at all.
I wanted to try and find some energy
saving green light bulbs.
Anyway, went into the shop and the
guy wanted five pounds just for an
ordinary energy saving lightbulb.
I always do my market research and
check. A lot of people are a lot
more savvy now, and I have to say,
that young people are driving that.
Maslow’’s hierarchy of needs shows
that self-actualisation is right at the
top of the pyramid and that means
you feel completely happy with
yourself and your life; very few things
phase you. I believe I passed into
self-actualisation during the car crash.
I wouldn’ ’t want anyone to judge me,
by a first impression.
I would want people to give
themselves the chance to get to
know me, but that will never happen,
well, maybe one day.
47
48
I’m a pretty jolly person, and I think
people would think that when they
look at me. I’m happy pretty much all
the time, I’m rarely sad.
If someone were to meet me and
have a first impression of me on an
off day, I don’t think they would ever
talk to me again.
Amanda
49
Moody, Because I am a very moody
person. To be frankly honest with
you, you are pissing me off a little
bit with your questions.
Carlos
51
When people look at me, they
probably think, who’ is that charming
young man?”
Yeah definatley the same thing..
No
What about when your out of uniform?
Can I take a photo of you?
Chris
52
Good god I have no idea and if I
knew, I’’d probabley change it. I’’m in
a rush, got to go.
Gary
53
People think I am strange or foreign,
because of my accent, but I guess
people would also say I am likeable.
Mani
54
People would most likely think I’m
positive and cool.
Ron
55
I guess I a’m mouthy, confident,
quite arty, maybe even a surfer
dude. I’m always energetic, so yeah,
I reckon people think I’m energetic.
James
56
57
58
Well I think that people would look
at Danny and think what a hottie,
but he knows it.
Ha, people would look at you and
think, what a fatty.
Danny &Liam
59
I am just your run of the mill, happy
guy. I like to appear optimistic and
hopeful. I let god work through me
and with his strength and power
anything is possible.
Benjamin
60
Pete & SamWe’’ are just two cool guys
61
People would look at me and think,
oh god she’s overweight”.
I mean I’ would love to be seen as
sexy, but I don’t really think that it comes across much. To be honest
it depends on whether you just see
someone or you speak to them.
Tracy
62
First impressions of people’s personalities are often formed by using the visual appearance of their faces. Defining how quickly these impressions can be
formed has critical implications for understanding social interactions and for determining the visual properties used to shape them.
Perl Moshe (2006)
Perl Moshe (2006)
63
Some of the most evolutionary fundamental psychologist goals pertain to the avoidance of other people who might harm us, cheat us or kill us. That requires that we
know- or at least make a reasonable first guess-whether someone is nasty or nice. From an evolutionary perspective, no other kind of
inference probably matters as much.
Ambady, N, J, skowronski (2008)
64
TomI do not know.
65
People probably think I’m a loner.
I don’’t really depends on others and I am pretty happy doing things
by myself.
Steve
66
An Old man, what a stupid question.
What do you see when you look at
me?
Exactly.
Um.. An old man.
You have a point there Henry
Henry
67
I don’’t know really, people probably
think I’’m a nice guy.
Mauro
68
MuratJust a geek really
69
Quite cool, you know, people would
look at me and think, this guy has
got style, he’’’s cool.
Marcus
70
How you doing? Don’t worry I’’m not
trying to sell you anything or ask for
money. I basically want to ask you
one question.
What do you think other people’s
first impression is of you?
Yeah, If that’s ok.
And do u mind if I ask you your
first name?
Yes.
Go on.
No idea.
Guess your going to ask me for a
photo arn’t u?
Hurry up, I’’m on my break.
Rather not.
71
72
NeilOff putting I guess. I don’’t really hang around with the ‘right crowd’
as it were. It could be because of
where I work aswell. Did you know
that they did some reasearch
because Toni & Guy were losing
customers and the results showed
that the staff were not friendly.
73
SteveTired, knackered, exhausted, stressed,
anything else?
74
RajDepends on what I’’m doing really or
how I feel. It could probably change,
even throughout the day.
Charlotte
75
People look at me and think
scary. I guess that’s good because of the job. A lot of my
friends have said to me about
their first impressions of me and
it is always, I thought you were
so scary when I first met you’, but underneath I’m a big softy.
’
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79
This study of first impressions has
inspired me to take this project on a
personal level after university and to
research deeper. I mainly did all of
my field research in and around the
Covent Garden area in London.
I plan to further this investigation
into first impressions by
comparing results from different
locations and compare the results.
From the results I will be able to
formulate graphs and information
graphics.
My view of people has changed
dramatically because of this project
aswell as the way I look at design.
Take a second look and try and
ignore your first impressions, it might
surprise you.
Postscript
Kleinke, C. 1975. First impressions: The psychology of encourtering others. Prentice Hall.
Nevid, J. 2007. Psychology: Concepts and applications. 2nd ed. Wandsworth: Wadsworth Publishing.
Bar, M et al. 2005. Very first impressions. Massachuttes: Harvard Medical School.
Ambady,N., J, J, Skworonski. 2008. First Impressions. 1st ed. Guildford: Guildford Press
References
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