How We Form FirstImpression

We all have firstimpression of someone we just met.______(46)Why do we form an opinion aboutsomeone without really knowing anything about him or her aside perhaps

from a few remarksor readily observable traits? The answer is related to how your brain allowsyou to be aware of the world.Your brain is so sensitive in picking up facial

traits,even veryminor difference in how a person's eyes,ears,nose,or mouth are placed inrelation to each other makes you see him or her as different.In fact,your brain

continuouslyprocesses incoming sensory information-the sights and sounds of yourworld.These incoming"signals"are compared against a hostof"memories"stored in the

brain areas calledthe cortex（大脑皮层）system todetermine what these new signals "mean".

If you see someoneyou know and like at school,your brain says"familiar andsafe".______(47) Then your brain starts to match features of this strangerwith

other"known"memories.Theheight,weight, dress,ethnicity,gestures,and tone of voice are all matchedup.The more unfamiliar the characteristics,the more your brain may

say,"This isnew.I don't like this person."______(48)Or your brain may perceive a newface but familiar clothes,ethnicity,gestures-like your other friends;so yourbrain says."I

like thisperson."______(49)

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-their history,interest,values,strengths,and true character-we categorize them as jocks,geeks,orfreaks.

______(50)If we spendtime with a person,hear about his or her life,hopes,dreams,and become aware ofthe person's character,we use a different,more mature style of

thinking-and themost complex areas of our cortex,which allow us to be humane.

______(48)

A.However,if weresist initial stereotypical impressions,we have a chance to be aware of what aperson is truly like.

B.But why?

C.But thesepreliminary"impressions"can be dead wrong.

D.If you see someonenew,it says,"new-potentially threatening".

E.The way westereotype people is a less mature form of thinking,which is similar to theimmature form of a very young child.