第一印象的力量：快速判断如何影响我们的人生
The Power of First Impressions: How Snap Judgments Shape Our Lives
Whether it’s a job interview, a first date, or simply meeting someone new, we make split-second judgments about others almost instantly. Research has shown that it takes just a few seconds—sometimes even less—for us to form a first impression, often without even realizing it.
无论是求职面试、第一次约会，还是与陌生人打交道，我们几乎都会在瞬间对他人做出判断。研究发现，我们形成第一印象只需几秒钟，有时甚至更快，而且这一过程往往在无意识中完成。
These snap judgments can be surprisingly powerful. A single handshake, a tone of voice, or even what someone chooses to wear can affect how we view their personality, competence, and trustworthiness. Once these first impressions are set, they can strongly influence how we interpret everything else about the person.
这种快速判断的影响力远比我们想象中大。一场握手、一个语调，甚至对方的穿着，都会影响我们对他们性格、能力以及可信度的判断。一旦第一印象形成，它常常主导我们之后对这个人的认识和解释。
So why do we rely so much on first impressions? From an evolutionary perspective, humans needed to quickly decide whether someone was a friend or a threat in order to survive. This rapid judgment helped our ancestors react swiftly in dangerous situations and increased their chances of survival. Even today, our brains have kept this habit—we instinctively notice small details and make quick judgments, which saves us time and energy in our fast-paced world.
那我们为什么这么依赖第一印象？从进化的角度看，人类为了生存，必须迅速判断身边的人是朋友还是敌人。正因为这种能力，有助于祖先在危险环境中做出快速反应，才能更好地活下来。直到今天，我们的大脑依然延续了这种习惯，总是本能地捕捉细节、快速下判断，以便在快节奏的生活中节省时间和精力。
However, first impressions aren't always accurate. They can be shaped by stereotypes, mood, or even lighting and context. For example, someone might seem unfriendly just because they feel nervous, or we might judge a person’s ability based only on how confident they appear. Relying too much on these initial judgments can cause us to miss out on valuable connections or misjudge others’ true abilities.
然而，第一印象未必都是准确的。它往往会受到刻板印象、当下情绪，甚至环境光线等因素的影响。比如，有人可能看起来冷淡，其实只是因为紧张；我们也可能仅凭对方的自信外表来判断能力。过度依赖初步印象，可能让我们错过有意义的人际关系，或低估他人的真实能力。
The good news is that awareness can help. By taking a step back and allowing ourselves time to know someone beyond the initial moments, we can make fairer and more informed decisions in both personal and professional life.
好消息是，我们可以通过提高自我意识来改善这一点。如果能够暂缓判断，给彼此多一点了解的时间，无论在生活中还是职场上，我们都能做出更加公正和明智的判断。
【短语积累 Vocabulary Bank】
- first impression —— 第一印象
- split-second judgment —— 瞬间判断
- form an impression —— 形成印象
- trustworthiness —— 可信度
- interpret everything —— 解释一切（看法受影响）
- from an evolutionary perspective —— 从进化角度看
- be wired to —— 天生倾向于
- draw conclusions —— 得出结论
- be shaped by —— 受到……影响
- miss out on —— 错过
- allow oneself time —— 给自己时间
- make a fairer decision —— 做出更公正的决定
📌文章CEFR 等级： B2–C1 级
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