Imagine a world where the cover of a book determines its entire storyline. We live in a society where first impressions often overshadow the depth within. Today, let’s unveil the reality of how we judge personalities solely by appearances and explore the captivating stories waiting to be discovered beyond the surface.
To begin, let us explore the Halo Effect. According to Kendra Cherry, the Halo Effect is “a type of cognitive bias in which our overall impression of a person influences how we feel and think about their character.”
But what does this mean for you and your future? I am so glad you asked!
In an educational setting, research shows that teachers treated students they perceived to be more attractive differently than the other students. As for your future career, an employer may view the applicant as attractive or likable, thus also rating the individual as intelligent, competent, and qualified.
I highlighted in my previous blog posts that there are only a handful who are beautiful and attractive. The harsh reality is there is an opposite to the Halo Effect, the Horn Effect. The Horn Effect occurs when a person judges another negatively based on only one known characteristic. For example, you may dislike a product you bought simply because it was made in China.
Now that you understand the Halo Effect and its counterpart, let’s break down the key features often used during the initial investigation.
Explained as the gateway to one’s soul, the eyes are an integral part of how others perceive you. Large, expressive eyes are associated with openness and warmth, while smaller or narrow eyes will be subconsciously linked to skepticism or introversion. You may have also heard “You look better with a smile” and there is some truth to this saying. A wide, expressive smile can be perceived as friendly and approachable, while thinner lips might be associated with a more reserved or serious demeanor. As for your chiseled jawline, a strong, well-defined jawline is linked to determination or assertiveness, while a softer jawline is perceived as more gentle or accommodating.
These features provide a very simplistic, yet individualized, outlook on the complexity of human psychology and its relation to our perception of others. Now that you have learned a little about the foundation of this phenomenon, I think it’s time I introduce you to some more complex ideas.
When you look at the pictures below, which images most align with the descriptor?
But why?
Maturity.
Heidi Halvorson explains, “Baby-faced people–those who have large eyes, higher eyebrows, large foreheads, and a rounded face–are perceived to be more innocent, and consequently more trustworthy.”
If you remember from my post “The Golden Ratio of Glamour,” Bella Hadid and Angelina Jolie have longer midfaces. In women, a short midface makes them look youthful and baby-faced, while a long midface can help project an air of maturity, which is how many describe Hadid and Jolie.
Ultimately, while the halo effect may influence initial judgments based on facial features, I plan to explore how individuals can actively enhance others’ impressions of themselves in my future posts.
Come back next week!
Works Cited
Cherry, Kendra. “What Is the Halo Effect?” Verywell Mind, 24 Oct. 2022, www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-halo-effect-2795906#:~:text=The%20halo%20effect%20is%20a,is%20also%20smart!%22.
Halvorson, Heid. “How the Shape of Your Face Affects the Way You’re Perceived at Work.” Fast Company, 7 Apr. 2015, www.fastcompany.com/3044724/how-your-face-affects-the-way-youre-perceived.
“Short Vs. Long Midfaces [Attractiveness Guide].” Magnum Workshop, 5 Oct. 2021, https://magnumworkshop.com/short-vs-long-midfaces/.