Halo Effect

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Definition of 'Halo Effect'

The halo effect is a cognitive bias in which an individual's overall impression of a person, company, or thing influences the way they evaluate other aspects of that person, company, or thing. This can lead to positive or negative biases, depending on the initial impression.

For example, if you meet someone who is very attractive, you may be more likely to assume that they are also intelligent and successful. This is because the halo effect causes you to associate positive qualities with the person, even if you have no evidence to support those qualities.

The halo effect can also work in the opposite direction. If you meet someone who is very unattractive, you may be more likely to assume that they are also unintelligent and unsuccessful. This is because the halo effect causes you to associate negative qualities with the person, even if you have no evidence to support those qualities.

The halo effect is a common cognitive bias that can lead to inaccurate judgments. It is important to be aware of this bias and to try to avoid it when making decisions.

Here are some tips for avoiding the halo effect:

* Be aware of your own biases.
* Consider all of the evidence before making a judgment.
* Don't let your first impression of someone cloud your judgment.
* Get to know people before you make assumptions about them.

The halo effect is a powerful cognitive bias that can have a significant impact on our judgments. By being aware of this bias and taking steps to avoid it, we can make more accurate decisions.

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