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The Science of Familiarity: How Frequent Exposure Builds Trust and Liking
Years ago, researchers at the California Institute of Technology used brain imaging experiments to record changes in the brains of people exposed to uncertain environments. They found that when people are in an uncertain environment, two areas of the brain, the amygdala and the orbitofrontal cortex, become hyperactive. In other words, when we are in a strange environment, the brain is actually awakened in two states-fear (amygdala); control ourselves and calm ourselves (orbitofrontal cortex). When the amygdala is activated, our body will also release a large amount of cortisol and activate the sympathetic nervous system, which will put us in a state of alert stress, which will increase heart rate…
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Beyond the Suit: Can Clothes Really Tell You About Competence?
American economist Robert Frank once remarked, “The discernment of an individual’s aptitude can be gleaned to some extent from the sartorial choices they make.” A financial luminary by the name of Fred Corbrick once found himself in attendance at a presentation. The convening entity was a corporation experiencing a phase of rapid expansion, with the presenter being none other than the CEO of said corporation. The affair was marked by an air of vivacity, and the CEO’s oration proved both infectious and compelling. Following the assembly, Corbrick approached the CEO and conveyed his favorable impression of the company, intimating his inclination towards purchasing its stocks. However, as the CEO extended…
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How Important is the First Impression? Understanding the Impact and Limitations of Initial Meetings Between the Opposites Sexes.
In human social interactions, the minutes or even seconds of a first meeting are critical in forming a first impression. Gender psychology research shows that when people of the opposite sex meet for the first time, they usually evaluate each other within a short period of time to decide whether the other person may become a potential partner. So, can we say that if a relationship develops between people of the opposite sex, it is already determined when they first meet? Gender psychology points out that when people choose potential partners, they usually consider a variety of factors, such as appearance, temperament, voice, body language, etc. These factors may all…
