Horns and Halos: Training Session

This is the Horns and Halos effect. Once you label someone as such, that label sticks … for a long time. You do it to other people. And they most certainly do it to you. 

These cognitive stereotypes often shape the types of qualities we blindly attach to other people. We form an initial impression of someone and instantaneously infer they possess certain traits and abilities that match our beliefs. These mental shortcuts, however, can quickly lead us toward making bad decisions if we’re not careful. Especially when it comes to trusting the wrong people. 

Being able to understand and untangle the perceived abilities we project onto others can greatly reduce the mistakes we make. We become more attuned to our emotional clustering of characteristics which helps us better assess whether someone truly has the skills, capabilities, and intentions we “feel” they do.

In this session, you’ll learn:

• When your first impressions can fool you
• Why you mistakenly find “attractive” people more trustworthy
• How Fundamental Attribution Error affects your judgment 
• Why trusting people less can increase your confidence