Impression Formation

Impression formation is the process of integrating information about a person to form an overall impression. Based on Norman H. Anderson’s research and Information Integration Theory, impressions are formed of others based on the integration of the perceiver dispositions and the weighted average of a target person’s traits. Each perceiver varies in the impressions they form of others, this is due to the idea that perceivers use themselves as the standard for evaluating others. Impressions vary from intellectual abilities, physical attractiveness, or even body language. Another cause of variation in impressions by perceivers is their current mood; people who are happy tend to have more optimistic and less critical impressions. The weighted average of a person’s trait is based on Norman Anderson’s averaging model. The averaging model is based on a study conducted where participants were to rate the desirability of traits based on a seven point scale. The weighted average is therefore based on combination of trait values based on all the perceiver’s impressions. (Kassin, Fein, & Markus, 2008) Internet sites to refer to http://www.psychology.nottingham.ac.uk/staff/cl/c81hda/handout6.pdf