People's Perceptions Based on First Impressions
People read a lot into first impressions during interactions. This impression causes others to form views about us. People may judge us as honest, educated, confident, or threatening simply by reading our minds in their initial contact with us. In most circumstances, these perceptions are accurate. The purpose of this research is to discover how others see me. It is predicated on the notion that by enhancing my overall outward behavior, men will perceive me as nicer than women will.
Research Methodology
The survey was conducted among male and female High Point University students, whose replies were recorded individually. It also extended to people off campus, both former students and non-former students of HPU.
Findings of the Study
The findings of the study were intended to answer the questions as to whether people perceive me the same way I perceive myself, and whether the manner in which I am perceived by people is affected by my gender as a woman. By asking my participants on their perceptions of my honesty, confidence, intelligence, intimidation, and their comfort around me, I was able to establish how they perceive me and the first impression that I make on them.
Gender Differences in Perception
Indeed, gender plays a significant role in the manner in which people perceive us. This was evident in the way males and females rated my levels of honesty, confidence, intelligence and their levels of comfort in responding to my questionnaire. Males rated me much lower in all the categories with females considering me to be very honest, more confident, and more intelligent. Females were also more comfortable in giving me their honest responses than the males.
