3.3.2 Calculating Algebraic Impressions

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Calculating Algebraic Impressions

A second way we form interpersonal impressions is to develop algebraic impressions by carefully evaluating each new thing we learn about a person (Anderson, 1981). Algebraic impressions involve comparing and assessing the positive and negative things we learn about a person in order to calculate an overall impression, then modifying this impression as we learn new information. It’s similar to solving an algebra equation, in which we add and subtract different values from each side to compute a final result.

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Figure 3.16: When Annie first meets Helen in the movie Bridesmaids, she is intimidated by Helen’s looks, money, and close relationship with their mutual friend Lillian. Over the course of the film, the two women’s perceptions of each other evolve from animosity and distrust to something akin to friendship. How have you used algebraic impressions to get closer to or distance yourself from a friend?

Consider how you might form an algebraic impression of Ted Bundy from our earlier example. At the outset, his warmth, humor, and ability to chat easily with you strike you as “friendly” and “extraverted.” These traits, when added together, lead you to calculate a positive impression: friendly + extraverted = positive impression. But when you accompany Bundy to the parking lot and realize his boat isn’t there, you perceive this information as deceptive. This new information—Ted is a liar—immediately causes you to revise your computation: friendly + extraverted + potential liar = negative impression.

When we form algebraic impressions, we don’t place an equal value on every piece of information in the equation. Instead, we weight some pieces of information more heavily than others, depending on the information’s importance and its positivity or negativity. For example, your perception of potential romantic partners’ physical attractiveness, intelligence, and personal values likely will carry more weight when calculating your impression than their favorite color or breakfast cereal—unless you view colors and cereals as important.

As this discussion illustrates, algebraic impressions are more flexible and accurate than Gestalts. For encounters in which we have the time and energy to ponder someone’s traits and how they add up, algebraic impressions offer us the opportunity to form refined impressions of people. We can also flexibly change them every time we receive new information about people. But since algebraic impressions require a fair amount of mental effort, they aren’t as efficient as Gestalts. In unexpected encounters or casual conversations, such mental calculations are unnecessary and may even work to our disadvantage, especially if we need to render rapid judgments and act on them.

Algebraic Impressions

  • Strengthen your ability to use algebraic impressions
  • image When you next meet a new acquaintance, resist forming a general positive or negative Gestalt.
  • image Instead, observe and learn everything you can about the person.
  • image Then make a list of his or her positive and negative traits and weigh each trait’s importance.
  • image Form an algebraic impression based on your assessment, keeping in mind that this impression may change over time.
  • image Across future interactions, flexibly adapt your impression as you learn new information.