Contents
Hello dear readers! The halo effect is a distorted perception of another person based on stereotypes formed or in connection with personal characteristics. Distorted — because the opinion about someone does not always coincide with his real image. This is when, for example, an obedient, quiet boy who studies with only A’s takes and breaks a window in the classroom. Teachers can deny his guilt to the last. After all, how can such a good child take and do something wrong?
History of occurrence
Initially, back in the 1920s, Edward Thorndike spoke about this phenomenon. He conducted an interesting experiment by asking two commanders to characterize and evaluate their platoon. It was necessary to start with physical data, such as physique, voice timbre, endurance and activity. Then move on to intelligence. And also indicate how each of them is able to find a common language and cooperate with the rest. Lead, support, be responsible for decisions and mistakes.
The results confirmed Thorndike’s insights about how our perception is distorted at such moments. It turned out that the soldiers who received high marks for physical data, the rest of the marks were also quite high. The one who outwardly looked weak, in the eyes of the commander was not distinguished by other abilities. For other characteristics, he also did not reach the norm.
Later, already in the 1970s, Robert Cialdini stated that subconsciously we like prettier people, so much so that we endow them with non-existent positive qualities. But less likeable personalities are completely rejected, attributing to them and noticing mostly negative ones. Those whom nature has outwardly deprived outwardly too clearly, in general, we can consider the fiends of hell.
The strength of this phenomenon is so great that we, being in the company of an ugly person, run the risk of significantly spoiling our reputation. Since quite attractive women and men in the company of people with an ordinary appearance are perceived by others as less interesting and alluring. The only exception is that a man next to a beauty increases his importance, while an unattractive girl next to a handsome man becomes even more inconspicuous.
Conditions of occurrence
Most often, the halo effect manifests itself in such conditions:
- Time deficit. It is not always possible to get to know someone closely, to find out how he behaves in various situations, and so on. Why lack of information distorts the reality of our perception. Therefore, we have to rely on the minimum that we manage to grasp.
- Lack of interest. Either the person himself did not arouse the desire to know him better, or due to various circumstances, a state arose when the fixation of attention is concentrated on one’s own experiences and thoughts. The result is a chaotic, indefinite idea of the interlocutor.
- Information overload. Every day we are in contact with a large number of people. Therefore, sometimes there are simply not enough resources to think about each of them for an objective assessment.
- Stereotypes. There are many stereotypes in society that we react to and use in moments when there is no desire to personally explore and test reality.
- A feature of appearance or character. She can take all the attention to herself, making other characteristics insignificant. For example, while talking with the winner of a beauty contest and admiring her, it is quite difficult to maintain clarity of mind and notice her real, with flaws and imperfections.
Recommendations
One can accuse the commanders of Thorndike’s experiment of being biased, and in general anyone who forms an opinion about another person without getting to know him very well. But if you think about it, each of us constantly falls into this trap. For example, a tall, large man with pumped up muscles gives the impression of a hardy and strong person. Able to surely protect anyone who is weaker than him. And also to withstand a lot of troubles and problems without breaking in spirit.
This is how women can sometimes think when choosing a partner. And stubbornly not to notice that he is actually trying at every opportunity to avoid responsibility, work and constantly doubt himself. Then experience disappointment that he was not as beautiful as he looked at first. And this disappointment threatens to lead to distrust of men in general, or even worse — to depression.
The halo effect can bring a lot of problems, both to the one who is misjudged and to the one who evaluates. The simplest example: without knowing a person well, you can push him away and lose a true friend or companion. Trusting someone who at first glance seemed interesting and safe, but in reality turned out to be betrayed and deceived.
Recommendations to help avoid this phenomenon:
Integrity
Expand the boundaries of perception, that is, do not form an opinion about a person based on only a few characteristics of his personality or actions. One-sidedness of judgments plunges us into a trap. For example, your colleague can be both evil and kind. Depending on the situation, his mood and so on, he will behave differently. Each of us is multifaceted, just some character traits are more pronounced. But this does not mean that they are polar, that is, completely opposite, absent. In other words, even the sweetest person in the world, in some situation, manifests himself as cruel and callous.
In psychology, there is such a thing as a perverse narcissist. This is a person who manipulates others for the purpose of destruction. So, at first glance, she may seem quite charming and charismatic, otherwise how else to lure the victim? The first opinion about them is usually positive, it seems that we managed to meet the most interesting person in the world who guesses desires and understands, as no one else has understood yet. And then, when a partner becomes attached to him, becomes dependent, he reveals his true face. And the pain and mental torture begins.
Therefore, refrain from superficial judgments. Look closely and relentlessly get to know the other person. We are all constantly changing. And to judge one-sidedly even about your partner, thinking that you know him like no one else is a big mistake.
Reality testing
The essence of this recommendation is to constantly correlate any information with reality. For example, many students use the halo effect to their advantage. Entering the first year, they study hard and behave quietly in class. Do you know why? Because there is an opinion that as you recommend yourself initially, the teachers will treat you throughout the entire time until you receive a diploma.
And indeed, for those who later begin to skip couples, they don’t turn in their work on time — they make indulgences, “closing their eyes” to many nuances. The teacher knows the student’s abilities, knows what he was capable of. And to the last, he can strive to “pull” him. Losing objectivity.
Caution
I would like to remind you that you should be careful with unfamiliar people. Since they may seem very pleasant in communication, but no one knows for what purpose they seek to please. I do not call to suspect everyone and everything, no. Just be careful, do not lose vigilance. Many scammers are just betting on the halo effect.
What can I say, if in 1941 John Monahan conducted a study, according to the results of which it was found that the jury finds it difficult to make a decision if a charismatic, likeable person is in front of the court. The severity of crimes is devalued, excuses for misdemeanors are found, and so on. That is, we are able to «close our eyes» to unacceptable behavior, being fascinated by the appearance of the interlocutor. From that we risk and endanger our own safety.
Completion
This phenomenon often manifests itself in the field of trade. Buyers, after evaluating one product of a brand, purchase the rest of its products, believing that their quality and other characteristics are also on top. This is exactly what marketers use. A celebrity involved in product advertising can also influence the minds of customers, causing trust. Definitely in good standing. In this case, the profit of the company is guaranteed. If you want to learn more about the impact brands have on our lives, check out the Veblen effect.
And that’s all for today, dear readers! Develop, know yourself and do not lose vigilance!
The material was prepared by a psychologist, Gestalt therapist, Zhuravina Alina