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First impressions are key but don’t tell the whole story

Looks matter.

And we decide a lot about a person in the first few seconds based on what we see.

Research shows that as humans we build an image of people’s character from objective data, such as aspects of physical appearance, our brain unconsciously chooses to focus on. From our first interactions with a person, our minds make a series of inferences, we use these inferences to fill in the blanks to form our full picture of a person.

But, those inferences are not always accurate, and can lead to missed opportunities for great relationships.

People walk in downtown Washington, D.C. By Alexa Harris.

“First impressions are very important. I think that they are lasting impressions, but they don’t always tell the story,” said Yolanda Turman, 50, of Westchester, Pennsylvania.

Turman and the six others that were interviewed agreed that first impressions were very important, but each individual also noted on some level the unfairness or inaccuracy of first impressions.

“They are deceiving,” said Christine Tagaris, 38, of Washington D.C.

Research shows that individuals admit to judging someone at some point without knowing anything about them.

In a study titled, First Impressions: Making Up your Mind After a 100-ms Exposure to a Face, Janine Willis and Alexander Todorov at Princeton University investigated the minimal conditions under which people make judgements.

Using five experiments, each focusing on a specific trait judgement,  Willis and Todorov manipulated the exposure time participants had to unfamiliar faces to gauge how quickly they decided whether the unfamiliar faces possess this trait.

Their findings support that judgements are made after a fraction of a second of exposure to a face, and these judgements that are made after a mere tenth of a second are correlated highly with judgements made in the absence of time constraints. A tenth of a second exposure time was sufficient enough for participants to form an impression.

When exposure time was increased from 100 to 500 ms participants’ judgements became more negative, and response time decreased. And when time was increased again from 500 to 1,000 ms, trait judgements and response time did not change significantly, but confidence in those judgments increased.

“In fact, for all judgements– attractiveness, likeability, trustworthiness, competence, and aggressiveness–increased exposure time did not significantly increase the correlations,” Willis and Todorov wrote.

The results of the Willis and Todorov study suggests that additional time simply boosts one’s confidence in their judgement, but it does not change the judgement itself.

“We’re human, so we are all guilty of making snap judgements, of that I’m sure,” Turman said.  “We stereotype, we make quick judgements, but I think, again, as I have matured, I have been less likely to do that as opposed to taking a psycho social look at maybe what’s going on in the person’s life.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Social media brings big risks; opportunities

Adolescents, who have the ability to connect constantly on their phones, may be putting themselves at a higher risk for mental health disorders and poor quality in personal relationships.

The entertaining features of smartphones have created an unhealthy atmosphere for some, where people are not living in reality. Because of this consistent use, problems like distorted body image, low self-esteem–and even extreme cases like suicide–have emerged as result, researchers say.

For teens like Ana Valera who feels connected always, the risks are on their minds.

“I think definitely a stigma around having the perfect Instagram body or just comparing yourself to other people that you see on social media, that can be very destructive,” said Valera, 16, talking about the negative impacts of social media.

Shuttle bus riders frequently stare at their mobile phones. By Reagan Gerrity.

With the constant scrolling and checking new updates, teens and young adults are more susceptible to the idea that their bodies are not good enough, comparing themselves to photos of models, celebrities or even their friends–not knowing that photos may have been altered. According to research, those who consume more social media place more of an importance on things like body image and how others perceive them, harming their self-esteem.

Social media has also impacted the way students interact in a learning environment, a fact noticed by several professors in the last five years.

Nicole Cox, an assistant professor of mass media at Valdosta State University in Georgia, said that even the way students wait for class has changed. There is no conversation, just people staring intently at a screen.

Cox also observed that phones have affected students’ attentions spans. She said they no longer have the ability to be engaged in class with something much more entertaining in their pocket.

Not only does social media impact a student’s classroom performance but it could be a matter of life and death.

13 Reasons Why, a Netflix original series, became extremely popular this year, but also brought about issues concerning copycat suicides.

“I could understand how people would think that it would romanticize suicide in a way,” Valera said.
“I feel that the intentions of the producers were to shed light on the issue of being bullied and suicide.

“Maybe the execution wasn’t as good as it could have been.”

13 Reasons Why displays suicide as the only way out for a troubled teenage girl, who uses it as revenge against people who upset her. Young people who have watched the fictional series worry this may give ideas to those who are already considering suicide.

“I feel like showing the suicide wasn’t really the best way to go about it,” said Saira Greywald,19, an American University student. “It may have been triggering to those who have gone through depression and attempted suicide.”

Despite what many see as the risks and potential for harm, social media does have benefits.

Some interviewed this week said it helps them communicate and stay connected with friends near and far.

“I feel like Snapchat helps you keep in touch with people even if you’re not around them because you’re seeing them everyday through pictures. And Instagram, you can see what people are up to,” said Caroline Down, 16, of Pittsburgh.

One must keep in mind that with the advancement of communications, comes the responsibility of managing social media and some of its negative impacts.

“It’s really negative,” Greywald said. “People compare themselves to other people and are constantly judging other people and themselves.”

 

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Political affiliation a factor in picking college

Rising high school seniors from across the country visiting American University this summer say they plan to consider political affiliation when applying to college.

In the middle of the last presidential campaign, The University of Toledo has seen a 23 percent increase in political science majors at the institution in 2015. Students are actually becoming more educated on political issues rather than being swayed by their emotions.

Zoe Flemmings, a rising high school senior from San Antonio, Texas, said students across the political spectrum are voicing their opinions despite the fact that they might not be knowledgeable about the topics they care about.

“Conservative students are more likely to speak out if they oppose Trump’s ideologies,” said Alex Turner, 17, from Rockville, Maryland.

“Republicans feel safer because ideologies are aligned in the federal government,” and “the right is speaking out more and feel more comfortable to speak out,” Turner continued.

Turner also believes that “students did not begin to look at politics closely until we elected someone so dramatic and who popped the bubble” of our political expectations.

 

 

 

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Young voters look ahead to 2018

Students and staff of American University agreed on Wednesday that people should exercise their right to vote more because of its influence on the country.

In the November 2016 election, young people continued the trend of voting in fewer numbers than older Americans, according to the Census Bureau.

But one trend that is perhaps more unknown is the fact that college educated youth are continuing to vote more than the general public.

At American University, many students feel that voting is an important part of their citizenship.

Melissa Lashway, an American University student, said that to her voting is one of the most important civic duties a person had. But, despite this, she did not vote due to being overseas and waiting too long to get an absentee ballot. Lashway said more people would vote, “if people realized the impact they had.”

Abby Osamwonyi, who works part time at AU, expressed pride in having voted in 2016. She looks forward to voting in 2018.

Adam Craig, who is also a student, also voted and made it clear that he thought voting mattered.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of college enrollment among newly graduated from high school has only been rising in recent years, meaning that there could be a rise in youth voting in the near future.

“It dictates our lives even if they don’t think it does,” Craig said.

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Mental health major issue on campus

College campuses have always been a place of sleepless nights and intense deadlines but within the last decade another issue has surfaced: students coping with mental illnesses.

For 28-year-old University of Delaware alumnus Mikala Jamison, who said she faced anxiety when she got to college, the rising numbers are a sign of more people getting diagnosed and treatment.

“I don’t even know if I would say that more people have more issues,” Jamison said. “I think we’re just talking about it more or people are using services more or being diagnosed as having more mental health issues now. I think it’s more of a diagnosis thing rather than more people have it.”

Jamison opened up about her views on mental health as she spent her Friday morning break at the Tenleytown Panera, sipping on her coffee before she was due back at work. At Jamison’s job, she works with students who are heading off to college.

When she was in college, Jamison struggled with anxiety and was able to use the mental health facilities at her school. She’s well aware, however, that many students years ago weren’t encouraged to use those facilities because mental health issues were stigmatized or not taken as seriously.

 

According to a 2006 article in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, colleges have noticed an increase in students with mental illnesses—the most prevalent of which being depression. However, other research shows that students may not be seeking services.

Although health services are provided on college campuses, as many as 84 percent of students with depression or anxiety don’t receive these services, according to a 2011 article in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. Even if college students don’t feel comfortable with in-school counseling, there are many other places to turn.

Out-of-school organizations such as National Alliance on Mental Illness and Active Minds solely focus on helping people with mental health issues and raising awareness for the importance of mental health treatment.

Advocacy for mental health awareness has gained so much support within the past few years that the first week of October is even devoted to mental health, being known as Mental Illness Awareness Week.

The most important goal for these organizations and events is to provide help for people with mental health issues and ultimately to let them know that they’re not alone.

“If you’re struggling with something, talk to someone, go to therapy, speak to somebody about what you’re going through because we see college students commit suicide on campuses because they don’t know where to turn,” Jamison said. “I think it’s an awareness thing, raising awareness that if you need help, we have help to offer you.”

 

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Study abroad offers new cultural experiences; lifelong memories

WASHINGTON, D.C.–American University students and alumni interviewed this week described their study abroad program as an opportunity for them to experience new cultures first hand and understand the dynamics and lifestyles of different groups of people. 

Sara E. Dumont, executive director of AU’s study abroad program, stated that with over 130 programs available at the university, it’s ranked #2 for study abroad participation among research universities. And, she said, 70 percent of AU students will have a study abroad experience by the time they graduate.

Dumont said the office’s most important consideration is the academic side of the program but noted “most of our students will experience some level of culture shock – in fact, they should, and we tell them that if they don’t, they can’t really be trying to engage with another culture!”

Many students including Mikita Hill-Cashaw, who went to Brazil, said they sought a study abroad experience for the cultural exposure rather than the academic component.

“It’s like while you’re here we’re friends and we’re family, and you can depend on me and we can do things together, and I’ll do things for you and we can have like this nice mutual relationship, even though I had no idea who they were,” Hill-Cashaw said about Brazilians.

Not all experiences offered a huge culture shock, however.

Ambar Pardilla, 21, recently returned from a semester in London and said that although there were subtle differences and nuances in British culture, it wasn’t too much of a change, and she was able to adapt pretty quickly to the lifestyle. 

In terms of preparing for the change in culture and lifestyle, students took different approaches.

Pardilla and 25-year-old Abby Osamwonyi said that students research the country they will be visiting often to avoid any culturally inappropriate actions.

AU itself also offers a series of resources that aims to prepare students for their experience.

Students reflect on study abroad. By Ana Salazar.

. Dumont said that the Study Abroad office has detailed brochures for each program they offer, in addition to general information sessions, one-one-one advising with AU Abroad advisors, a pre-departure orientation and an on-site orientation. 

But Hill-Cashaw handled her preparation differently.

“I was kind of radical in that I didn’t, I just kind of went,” Hill-Cashaw remembered. “I didn’t want to do any kind of research, I didn’t wanna have any preconceived notions of what the country might be like.”

Many of the students interviewed said that one of the most valuable take-aways from study abroad was understanding that cultures and people aren’t as simple as a Google search or a travel guide and that they never would have been able to understand the culture without experiencing it first hand. 

“All of my host families were different, and their dynamics were different, and the way they interacted with me and each other was very different, so it’s less about ‘These are Brazilians, Brazilians are one specific way. I’m an American, I’m this one specific way’ and it’s more about how are these people individually within their culture and within the broader spectrum of like humanity,” Hill-Cashaw said.

“It’s kind of cool.”

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Local retail spots boost for economy

Steak ‘n Egg Kitchen is a popular local spot with American University college students and residents. By Celina Ryan.

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Anne Garner sat on Steak ‘n Egg Kitchen‘s patio on a sunny Friday morning reading and eating breakfast.

The 65-year-old said the food is amazing, it’s always cooked perfectly and it’s inexpensive.

“The people, the staff, are wonderful,” Garner said.

Garner prefers independent businesses because they are “more unique” and great for the community, a fact that research supports.

In 2012, Civic Economics found local restaurants, on average, recirculate 79 percent of their revenue locally compared to chain restaurants’ 30 percent.

Independent stores help the local economy, but many in both rural and urban areas are facing competition from chain franchises and big box retailers.

Many small businesses in Washington, D.C. know they face tough competition and take steps to stay in business.

Laurie Tucker, an owner of a small health and wellness business from Greenville, Rhode Island, likes to support other small businesses.

“You have to find your niche, you give that personal piece that the big chains [can’t],” said Tucker, 44.

In Tenleytown, down Wisconsin Avenue from Steak ‘n Egg Kitchen, there’s a Panera, a Chick-fil-A, and a Starbucks. Tenleytown residents said this week that although they prefer to support small businesses, they often end up at chain stores.

Linda Jewell, 63, stood in line at Starbucks while talking about her preference for local businesses. She said local shops offer a better sense of community. So why was she at a chain?

The Tenelytown neighborhood in Northwest Washington is a mixture of local businesses and chain stores. By Celina Ryan.

“I feel sort of guilty about it,” Jewell admitted.

David Smick, 63, said he’ll pick a chain shop because it’s a known quality.

Jennifer Chapman agreed. She and others support chain franchises for the “standardized, predictable, quality.”

Chapman, 51, said she sometimes favors local spots like Busboys and Poets but other times said doesn’t pay much attention.

“I’m more indifferent to it,” Chapman said.

Back at Steak ‘n Egg Kitchen, Garner, who has lived in Washington, D.C. for 40 years, hopes local businesses can survive.

“They’re the best thing,” Garner said. “I just hope they can afford to stay in business. I hope more people can support them.”

 

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Our Flag

Students and Staff at American University as well as residents of Northwest Washington, D.C. all felt strongly about the American flag and the values it represents, but they are indifferent to the use of it as clothing, something that a 2007 House of Representatives document opposes.

In 2007, the House of Representatives published a book titled Our Flag, which explains how the flag should be handled and treated. It stated, “The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery,” something many interviewed in June disagreed with.

The flag represents a “living nation” and therefore should be treated with the same respect that a person deserves, according to language in Our Flag.

But, for Stephana Sullivan, 25, an American University graduate student, that seems “weird.”

“It’s a fashion statement,” Sullivan said.  “If you go on holiday to another country and buy a shirt that has that country’s flag on it there is nothing wrong with that.”

According to people interviewed, the meaning and values that the flag hold change when the flag is put onto an article of clothing or is super-imposed onto a paper plate or napkin. It no longer means what it did when it is a literal flag flying high and proud in front of a school or government building.

“The American dream, the dream of freedom and passing the insurmountable,” said Max O’Neil,18, about what the flag represents for him.

There is a discrepancy between what the government deems acceptable use of the flag and what the public thinks is right.

The use of the flag on shirts should be seen as showing a person’s patriotism and love for their nation. People are simply expressing their love for the country by wearing clothing that is the same color scheme as the flag, and although their is nothing illegal about wearing these clothing items, it should not be seen as a breach of etiquette.

“Not being allowed to wear it takes away people’s freedom expression,” Lateef Mangern said. “A value the nation is built on and something the flag represents.”

Flag in front of school. By Bennett Okun