You've fallen for the Halo Effect, here's how
WTH is the Halo Effect?
Earlier today, I enjoyed listening to one of my favorite podcasts and I was so impressed with the guest's intelligence! He had it all, the success, the wits, the oratory skills etc, and I wished the same for myself.
I know I’m not the only one in this. Have you ever wondered how some people are so attractive, successful, and popular? How do they get promoted faster, earn more money, build successful businesses and have more friends? You might think they are just lucky, but there is a psychological phenomenon behind their success: the ‘Halo Effect’.
The halo effect is a type of cognitive bias that makes us judge people based on their overall impression, rather than their individual characteristics. For instance, attractiveness, sociability, or intelligence. When someone has a positive quality, we tend to conclude that they have other positive qualities as well. For example, we might assume that a good-looking person is also smart, friendly, and trustworthy. Or if we are loyal to a certain technology brand, we might keep buying their products without considering other options (I'm looking at you, Apple fans *wink*). This can influence our choices and actions in different contexts, such as hiring, dating, or shopping.
New Podcast episode alert: In the latest episode of The Grinders Table Podcast, Anil shares his entrepreneurial journey with us, from life in Ontario to growing businesses in Nigeria. Click the image below to listen
The halo effect can also work in reverse: if we see someone who has one negative trait, we might also think that they have other negative traits as well. For example, if we see someone who is rude, we might also think that they are lazy, dishonest, and incompetent. A person who used to have a good reputation may lose it after making a mistake. This phenomenon is sometimes known as the horn effect or the devil effect.
The halo effect can have both advantages and disadvantages for us. On the one hand, it can help us form quick impressions of people and save mental energy. On the other hand, it can also lead us to make inaccurate conclusions and miss important information.
The halo effect can also affect how we see ourselves: if we have a positive self-image, we might also think that we are good at everything; if we have a negative self-image, we might also think that we are bad at everything.
So how can we avoid falling prey to the halo effect? Here are some tips:
Be aware of your own biases and stereotypes. Try to challenge your assumptions and look for evidence that supports or contradicts them.
Seek feedback from others who have different perspectives and opinions. Listen to their views and try to understand their reasoning.
Focus on specific behaviours and outcomes rather than general traits and impressions. Use objective criteria and data to evaluate people and products.
Be open-minded and curious. Learn more about the people and products you encounter and discover their strengths and weaknesses.
The halo effect can definitely shape our perceptions of ourselves and others. By understanding how it works and how to overcome it, we can make better decisions per time.
If you found this article interesting and useful, please reply to this email and let me know what you think. I would love to hear your feedback and suggestions for future topics. Thank you for reading!