FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Conjecture Lecture

Goal To examine first impressions and their effect on how people relate to one another.

Participants will make assumptions about personal characteristics of other group members based on brief job-related introductions.

Time Required Approximately 30 to 45 minutes

Group Size Subgroups of three or four persons each

Note This activity is intended for participants who have no prior knowledge of one another.

Materials

• One copy of the Conjecture Lecture Worksheet and a pencil for each participant

• Clock, timer, or stopwatch

PROCESS

1. Form subgroups of three or four persons each. Direct the members of each group to count off to determine the order of participation in the activity.

2. Explain that each person will be introducing himself or herself to other members of the group by giving a 1-minute speech focusing on job skills as well as current and former positions. The beginning and ending times for each presentation will be announced.

3. Tell member 1 in each subgroup to begin and then call time after 1 minute. Repeat the process until all members of the groups have participated.

4. Explain that service providers often have only a few minutes of interaction with their customers, but in that short time, impressions can be formed on both sides. The participants now will use the introductory presentations as a basis for determining their personal perceptions of specific characteristics for each group member.

5. Distribute one copy of the worksheet and a pencil to each participant. Review the directions at the top of the sheet.

6. Allow approximately 5 minutes for completion of the task and then call time.

7. Ask the members of each group to discuss their responses and why they made them.

8. Allow approximately 10 minutes for small group discussion, giving a 1-minute warning before time expires.

9. Facilitate a large group discussion by asking the following questions:

• Did your personal impressions differ from others in your group? How so?

• In what ways do we create impressions of ourselves? How do these impressions affect the way in which others respond to us?

• What are some examples of situations in which wrong impressions were made?

What outcomes resulted?

• What is the impact of personal filters and mental models on our actions with others?

• How do personal filters and mental models influence stereotyping? What can be done to prevent stereotyping?

• How can service representatives use first impressions to support the service provided to customers?

CONJECTURE LECTURE WORKSHEET

Directions: Record the names of the other members of your group in the spaces provided at the top of the table. Using your first impressions of each member in your group, place answers in the appropriate spaces for the listed characteristics.

TOPICS
Marital status
Children
Pets
Vehicle driven
Hobbies
Favorite color