PSY1001 WEEK 5

Question 1

define impression formation

Answer 1

way in which we form impressions, often first impressions, of others and attribute specific characteristics to them

Question 2

how did Asch propose we form impression

Answer 2

instantly, with little information

Question 3

how quickly can we form impressions? (research study - Willis & Todorov)

Answer 3

showed undergrad ppts photos for brief time and asked ppts how competent individaul was. strong correlations found, despite low exposure = 100ms long enough

Question 4

explain negativity bias

Answer 4

negative traits have greater impacts on impression = if we rate a positive and negative impression as the same importance, we notice the negative more

Question 5

describe the configural model of impression formation (Solomon & Asch)

Answer 5

form overall consistent impressions (Gestalt approach) rather than combination of individual traits (overall holistic impression). central traits influence more than peripheral and first traits link to how others are incorperated into our impression (primacy effect)

Question 6

what experiment did Asch carry out to study the Configural impression formation model (and he assumed central traits determine our overall impression)

Answer 6

read quantitative attribute lists to ppts, and asked impressions - half shown cold, others warm trait but words were same
found peripheral traits (polite/blunt) have less influence on overall impressions that central traits (warm/cold)

Question 7

evaluate the configural model of impression formation, including Asch research

Answer 7

high internal validity
randomly selected traits with no definition of what a central trait is (so difficult to quantify or replicate)
lacking ecological validity
open ended written description- difficult to quantifye

Question 8

explain the cognitive algebra theory of impression formation - Anderson
include the 3 ways that evaluations are combined

Answer 8

maths model aiding formation for evolution safety
an evaluative process assigning subjective values to each trait observed depending on trait importance
eg: helpful = +3, if we value punctuality and they’re late = -2

how evaluation is combined:
1. summation
2. averaging - few strong traits influence impressions more
3. weighted averaging - certain traits given greater weights in certain contexts

Question 9

explain the impact of physical appearance on impression formation

Answer 9

first and most salient info, can lead to a halo effect (includes attractiveness, baby-faced, non-verbal/non-facial

Question 10

explain halo effect

Answer 10

generally attribute positive qualities to physically attractive people, who are often approached and conversed with more

Question 11

what are baby-faced facess

Answer 11

larger eyes and higher eyebrows, rounder face, smaller chin, thicker lips
attribute child-like characteristics (weak, submissive) - persists throughout life (elderly baby-faced adult)

Question 12

explain Keating, Randall & Kendrick; Todorov et al research on impact of baby-face on politics

Answer 12

baby-face politicians seen as less powerful or competent

Question 13

why are baby-face people seen as less competent

Answer 13

1. ecological theory of social perception: ability to detect attributes of age, health, identify and emotion for evolutionary/social values
2. responses over-generalised to those who look like it
3. impressions of babies applied and we gain more warm and honest impressions

Question 14

explain impact of non-facial physical appearance cue on impression formation

Answer 14

1. gait - more youthful walking seen as powerful and happy
2. clothing - smarter dressed rated as more knowledgeable

Question 15

does facial impressions differ between cultures? (Zebrowitz)

Answer 15

US and Bolivian men rate faces with culture specific methods (Likert scale or stone pile) - found strong agreements on attravtiveness and baby-facew

Question 16

what is the real world impact for physical appearance and political votes

Answer 16

naive ppts shown faces of US state governor winners and runners up, more likely to select actual winner as being more comeptent

Question 17

what is the real world impact for physical apperance and court cases

Answer 17

mock jury paired crime severity and trustworthiness and found that severe crime guily verdicts formed with less evidence if he had an untrustworthy face

(conditions:
mild + trustworthy
mild + untrustworthy
severe + trustworthy
severe + untrustworthy)

Question 18

give wider implications of research on physical attractiveness real life applications

Answer 18

highlights unanswered questions such as brain mechanism underlying automatic reactions to superficial quality
how we can prevent bias reaction to facial appearances