What effect refers to the influence of first impressions on later evaluations?

The primacy effect refers to the tendency to give greater weight to the first piece of information encountered when forming an opinion or making a judgment. This cognitive bias implies that initial impressions can strongly influence subsequent evaluations and conclusions that individuals draw about a person or situation.

In the context of evaluating others, when you meet someone for the first time, the traits or behaviors you observe initially can shape your entire perception of that individual, regardless of later information that might counter or complicate that impression. For example, if a manager meets a new employee and finds them to be confident and articulate during the first meeting, that manager is likely to continue assessing that employee positively in future interactions, even if subsequent behaviors suggest otherwise.

This effect highlights the critical importance of first impressions in social and organizational contexts, as it can lead to biased evaluations and judgments that may not accurately reflect someone's true abilities or character. Understanding the primacy effect is essential for improving decision-making and interpersonal evaluations within organizations.