Stereotypes Can Negatively Impact Social Effectiveness

Psychology Today: The Once-Over

As most of you know, I’m a member of Toastmasters International, which is dedicated to improving one’s public speaking abilities.  I’ve found that many of my posts make appropriate speech topics and decided to write a speech on my post on stereotypes.  In my additional research, I found this affirmation of my positions on stereotyping.  The article is on Psychology Today’s web site and appears in their June, 2005 print issue.  It affirms that, in less than a minute, we are able to make snap judgements about people we meet and often do so as accurately as trained interviewers who take 20 minutes to form a judgement after questioning.

“The answer lies in part in how the brain takes first-impression Polaroids--creating a composite of all the signals given off by a new experience. Psychologists agree that snap judgements are a holistic phenomenon in which clues (mellifluous voice, Rolex watch, soggy handshake, hunched shoulders) hit us all at once and form an impression larger than their sum.”

“First impressions are not merely hardwired reactions--we are also taught how to judge others, holding our thin slices up to the light of social stereotypes.”

“Just three seconds are sufficient to make a conclusion about fresh acquaintances.”

The article goes on to say that an assessment can be incorrect when the evidence that the brain considers in its assessment is not genuine.  In other words, it can be fooled. 

It is my position that it can also make an incorrect assessment if a person exhibits expressions or behaviors that triggers negative perceptions, even if the person being assessed in unaware of the behaviors or has no idea of the negative connotation of the behaviors.

All the more reason to be more conscious of our behaviors, especially our small mannerisms that may be sabotaging our effectiveness.

Interestingly, the researcher noted that there was one thing that all humans looked for in their assessment of others:  a smile.

Comments

[Safiyyah]

Bert,
Would you recommend Toastmasters to others? I've been wanting to improve my speaking skills for quite some time now, but I'm not sure what options are available. I give a lot of speeches, and I'd like to work on my ability to speak confidently without any prepared notes.

[Bert]

I highly recommend ToastMasters! I also do public speaking and just wanted to explore another avenue to improve. ToastMasters was just the ticket for me. Besides giving concrete advice on how to construct and deliver better speeches, it also has programs designed to improve one's vocabulary and grammar. There is even someone assigned at each meeting who's sole purpose is to track how many times each member uses useless filler words and sounds like, "Uh", and "Ah". The most useful part for me, though, is the Table Topics program, which improves one's ability to speak "off-the-cuff" with no preparation. Another benefit is the low cost of membership!

[Mahmood]

Hello:

This effect is the underlying idea in Malcolm Gladwell's book Blink. I highly recommend it!

[Bert]

Mahmood--

Thanks! I've seen the book but haven't read it yet. I'll pick up a copy!

Bert