First Date Impressions

A recent Ohio State University study has confirmed what many of us single folks already know: that first impressions count more. Among other things, the research found that when someone betrays another early on in their interaction, it is more challenging to overcome than if the same thing occurred later on.

Those participating in the study were asked to play a game with another person (unknowingly to them, a computer program), deciding whether or not to cooperate or compete early on in the interaction. Those subjects who were competed against in the first two rounds of the game were more angry and found their 'partner' less trustworthy, as opposed to the subjects whose competition occurred later on. As well, the unhappy folks were more likely to fight with their computer generated counterparts in the last ten rounds of the game.

But how does this information translate to the dating world? Simple. If you have to cancel at the last minute with someone you're either just meeting or have only interacted with once or twice, know that you're facing an uphill battle. In fact, any transgressions during those first few crucial meetings will be more harshly judged than if they took place several months down the road.

Related: First Date Tips

_{Source: Huston, Matthew. "Best Face Forward." Psychology Today April 2009 Vol 42, No 2:32.}