Whether it is in the platonic or romantic setting, first impressions are important in making friendships and in building on a romantic relationship. Previous studies have already shown that we can make accurate impressions of new acquaintances, but is it the same in the romantic setting, where the stakes are higher? The answer, according to researchers, is yes.
To find answers, they invited 372 participants to partake in speed-dating events in Montreal in 2017 and 2018. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire assessing their personality and well-being. A close friend or family member also completed a questionnaire on the participant’s personality. Participants then had a series of brief, three-minute first dates; after each interaction, they rated their date’s personality.
On average, people did see their dates’ personalities accurately, but some dates were easier to read than others. “Some people are open books whose distinctive personalities can be accurately perceived after a brief interaction, whereas others are harder to read,” says co-author Lauren Gazzard Kerr, a PhD student in the Department of Psychology at McGill University under the supervision of Professor Lauren Human. “Strikingly, people who report higher well-being, self-esteem, and satisfaction with life tend to make the task easier,” she says.
More about this study over at Neuroscience News.
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