Halo Effect
The halo effect is a cognitive bias that influences the way people perceive and judge others. It is the tendency to allow one trait or characteristic to influence our overall impression of a person. For example, if someone is physically attractive, we may tend to assume they are also kind, intelligent, and competent, even if we have no evidence to support these assumptions.
Alternatively, if someone is known for their intelligence, we may assume they are also physically attractive, kind, and competent, even if we have no direct evidence to support these assumptions. The halo effect can also work in reverse. For example, if we have a negative impression of someone because of a single negative trait or characteristic, we may tend to assume that they are also less attractive, less intelligent, and less competent than they actually are. The halo effect can be problematic because it can lead to biased judgments and decisions based on incomplete or inaccurate information. For example, a hiring manager may be more likely to hire a job candidate who is physically attractive, even if they are less qualified than other candidates. Alternatively, a teacher may give better grades to a student who is well-liked, even if their work is not as good as other students.