How We Form FirstImpression

1 We all have firstimpression of someone we just met.But why?Why do we form an opinion aboutsomeone without really knowing anything about him or her-aside perhaps

from a few remarksor readily observable traits.

2 The answer isrelated to how your brain allows you to be aware of the world.Your brain is sosensitive in picking up facial traits,even very minor difference in how a

person'seyes,ears,nose,or mouth are placed in relation to each other makes you see himor her as different.In fact,your brain continuously processes incoming sensory

information-thesights and sounds of your world.These incoming"signals"are comparedagainst a host of"memories"stored in the brain areas called thecortex system to

determine what thesenew signals"mean".

3 if you see someoneyou know and like at school,your brain says"familiar and safe".If yousee someone new,it says,"new-potentially threatening".Then your brainstarts to

match features ofthis stranger with other "known" memories.Theheight,weight,dress,ethnicity,gestures,and tone of voice are all matched up.Themore unfamiliar the

characteristicsare,the more your brain may say,"This is new.I don't like thisperson".Or else, "I'm intrigued".Or your brain may perceive anew face but familiar

clothes,ethnicity,gestures-likeyour other Friends;so your brain says,"I like this person".But thesepreliminary"impressions"can be dead wrong.

4 When we stereotypepeople,we use a less mature form of thinking(not unlike the immature thinkingof a very young child)that makes simplistic and categorical impressions

of others.Ratherthan learn about the depth and breadth of people-theirhistory,interest,values,strengths,and true character-we categorize them asjocks,geeks,or freaks.

5 However,if weresist initial stereotypical impressions,we have a chance to be aware of what aperson is truly like.If we spend time with a person,hear about his or her

life,hopes,dreams,andbecome aware of the person's character,we use a different,more mature style ofthinking-and the most complex areas of our cortex,which allow us to be

humane.Paragraph 4______

A.Ways of DepartureFrom Immature and Simplistic Impressions

B.Comment on FirstImpression

C.Illustration ofFirst Impression

D.Comparing IncomingSensory Information Against Memories

E.Threatening Aspectof First Impressions