The Halo effect is where one uses one positive side of an individual or organization to form a view. You can develop a bias by judging others with just one thing without considering additional aspects. This happens every day in your life. Hallo effect borrows from the adage that says the first impression matters most. It is a basis through which strangers form a negative or positive attitude about you.
You can be judged on your physical appearance, your skills, or even the people you associate with as friends. It is not a fair way to assume the individual or company.
History of Halo Effect
The “halo effect” was first coined by Edward L. Thorndike in 1920.
The American psychologist did experiments on military officers, which included “ranking” subordinates by men. Before he allowed the officers to communicate with their subordinates, he asked the superiors to rank them according to their character traits. They included intelligence and leadership ability.
However, the results were different from what Thorndike expected as the officers came up with negative and positive traits based on physical impressions. For example, the tall and good looking subordinates were seen as the most intelligent. In short, the physical appearance was used to determine their character. A positive impression increases assumptions of positivity where their abilities and skills are concerned.
Common Halo Effects in Life
Judging BeautyBeauty is the beholder; this is the halo effect when judging what is attractive or not. The Halo effect is based on what you sense first about the subject. It can be what you see or touch. For you to like something from first sight, it means that the focus is physically beautiful.
When the subject looks beautiful, you will assume that they are attractive all way round. Handsome men are expected to be intelligent and beautiful girls are also likely to be funny. This does not have to be the truth. The Halo effect can misguide you.
- Workplace
The Halo effect starts from the day you send in your application to the day you are hired. When the recruiting department receives your CV, there is something that impresses them to read through and call you for an interview. When you come in for the meeting, the interviewer will pick something that excites them once you walk into the room. This is something that goes around in a work environment. This explains why employees are always trying to impress their bosses.
Halo effect can help you accelerate your career if the decision-makers pick a positive aspect. It can also break you if the halo effect is negative. To make it easy for staff members, organizations create a guiding policy of professional standards expected from employees.
- Halo Effect at school
The halo effect is common in learning institutions. This determines how their school mates accept one. You can be judged on your physical looks and capabilities. Impressions and people you identify with at school are judged at school.
The Halo effect has created competitiveness at schools. Students want to bring out the best in them so that they can impress judges or new friends. However, it has also caused stratification among students. Some of them are popular while
- Marketing
When you go shopping, the halo effect influences where and what you buy. Marketers have learned to use the halo effect to win the attention of consumers. They develop strategies that will impress you and convince you to make a purchase. Adverts also drive us to buy a product and portray the brand as the best.
How to Control Halo Effects
- Be self-Aware
Do not be distracted by physical looks or the little things that you notice about a person. That can help you beat the halo effect and improve you with-hold any judgment before you learn more.
Do not rely on your feelings or personal instincts. You should be curious to know facts so that you can make an informed decision.
- Do Not Trust First Impression
The Halo effect is characterized by what you see when you meet someone for the first time. Learn not to trust this new person because there are many things to learn about strangers. Steer your feelings towards facts-finding.
Give the person a second chance, and you will be surprised to learn that there are many good things about this individual that you could not discover in your first interaction.
- Think About Your Image
The Halo effect is two-way. It would help if you remembered that even the people you meet for the first time also judge you. Be empathetic and be lenient, not judge them based on one thing. You also have weaknesses or traits that put people off within a short time of the meeting.
- Be Happy
If you want to beat the halo effect, avoid having unpredictable emotions. Smiling when meeting people for the first time will help you to become likeable and easy to associate with without judging you. On the other hand, strangers will feel at ease with you and avoid pretentious first meeting behavior. Avoid asking too many questions or talking too much.
Keep it natural so that the stranger feels that they do not have to win you. This allows both of you to look forward to sharing more; hence your brain is not triggered to make a judgment.
Halo effect is like a distortion of reality, and sometimes you cannot differentiate it. However, you can slow down your judgment and take time to make an opinion about the subject.
Try to be objective and focus on facts or the bigger picture. Avoid distractions caused by little things and look for real information that reveals more.
Conclusion
When evaluating someone, always consider the overall impression without overlooking the essential characteristics. You should not consider someone as a smart leader just because they are good looking. This can hinder you from seeing the potential and skills in someone who is hardworking and skilled just because they are not beautiful or handsome.