1.
approximately 6 minutes.
Discussion: First Impressions
Confirmation bias is an interesting phenomenon; it explains
people's misplaced confidence when evaluating someone’s
character based on first impressions. If people allow their first
impressions to be challenged, there is a chance that subsequent
information will compel a revision. However, not everyone is
willing to change their first impressions; somehow, their belief
in being a good judge of character is threatened if their
impression changes.
In this case, there is a resistance to new information that may
challenge what they already believe is true. They will likely
focus only on details that confirm their first impression while
ignoring those that do not. This is why so many insist that,
based on “sound” first impressions, they are excellent judges of
character. Clearly, this is not necessarily so.
For this Discussion, you will consider a personal experience
regarding first impressions and apply social psychology theory
to explore how impressions form quickly and persist.
To Prepare
Review the Learning Resources for this week and consider how
downward comparisons and idealized images of physical
attractiveness impact the developing self-concept.
Also, consider whether this impact would be different across
race and ethnicity.

2.
By Day 4
Post
a description of a time when you were certain your first
impression of someone you had just met was accurate, only to
discover subsequently that you were mistaken. Describe how
social psychology theory explains this phenomenon.