Perceptions Frame Realities

First impressions are formed in a matter of minutes, often even seconds, and these initial perceptions heavily influence our understanding of others. As we interact, our mental representations of individuals become more fixed, leading us to selectively filter out aspects that do not conform to our preconceived notions. This creates a reinforced but potentially distorted identity of both ourselves and others, highlighting a cognitive bias where the desire to maintain a coherent image overrides the nuances of reality. Our understanding is often rooted in a preconceived notion of identity that operates on an unconscious level, shaping how we perceive ourselves and those around us.