First impressionsHow do first impressions affect us? Growing up we usually learn that first impressions are lasting impressions. This old cliché certainly makes sense if you think about it. People often make assumptions about their personal interactions with others based on these often fleeting encounters. In general, people can make the mistake of evaluating someone based on their personal values ​​and beliefs. Individuals tend to have preconceived notions about people who may be situational, often making snap judgments based solely on visual perceptions. It is human nature to believe what you see and then set personal expectations that your behavior will support that first impression. I once attended a seminar that stayed with me for many years. While I waited at my seat for the conference to begin, this man walked around trying to strike up conversations with the seminar attendees. My first impression of him was that he was in the wrong place based solely on what I could see. His clothes were inappropriate for this event; it looked uncared for and seemed to make people uncomfortable as I watched the women clutch their purse as if they were afraid I would grab it and run. This would be our first impression of the speaker of the day. Taking the stage he talked about first impressions and stereotyped beliefs, while during the conference he began to change his appearance. By the end of the seminar he was well groomed, wearing a three-piece suit and no longer intimidating the conference guests. Ironically, most if not all of the people in the room had the same assumptions as me; a black man, dressed as a rapper, getting too close to people must have meant trouble. I was ashamed of… half of paper… traits that classify them as introverted or extroverted, most people only get one chance to make a great first impression. People's behavioral expectations are generally consistent with first impressions; which means that the first perceptions are acquired based on actions and words. People generally believe that the way they see you at the time is actually the way you always behave. Right or wrong, understanding the psychology behind the importance of first impressions and how others perceive the interaction is very important. Works Cited Pawlik-Kienlen, L. (2007). What are the traits of an extroverted personality?. Psychology@Suite 101. Retrieved from http://www.suite101.com/content/the-extrovert-a13731Pawlik-Kienlen, L. (2007). What are the traits of an introverted personality?. Psychology@Suite 101. Retrieved from http://www.suite101.com/content/the-introvert-a13661