The 0.1 Second Secret of First Impressions

Instant Judgment, Lasting Impact

According to research by Professor Alexander Todorov at Princeton University, we judge someone's trustworthiness, competence, and likeability in just 100 milliseconds (0.1 seconds) after seeing their face. This is shorter than the blink of an eye.

The Brain Mechanism of First Impressions

First impressions are primarily processed in the amygdala, a part of the brain that detects danger and triggers emotional responses. From an evolutionary perspective, this ability developed because quick judgments were advantageous for survival.