Name: ______________________________
Impression Formation Assignment
Directions
Find a photograph of a person you know very well (a digital photo on your mobile device or laptop is fine).
The photo should have only one person in the picture, and it should be a picture that you and the person in
the photo do not mind sending to your classmates (if possible, please get permission from the person before
showing it to the class). Before you come to class on the day this activity is assigned, please rate the person
on the following items. Then, bring the photo and this questionnaire to class.
THE PERSON IN THE PHOTO IS:
Not at all
Extremely
Religious
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Athletic
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Hard-working
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Conservative
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Liberal
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Extroverted
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Introverted
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Kind
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Caring
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Wealthy
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Funny
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Musical
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Easy-going
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Dominating
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Sensitive
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Artistic
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Name: ___________________________________
On the day this activity is assigned, you will pair up with one person and give that person the photo of the
person you rated above. Now, examine the photo that you have been given by your partner (you will
probably not know this person). Describe this person in the photo using the following items.
THE PERSON IN THE PHOTO IS:
Not at all
Extremely
Religious
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Athletic
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Hard-working
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Conservative
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Liberal
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Extroverted
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Introverted
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Kind
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Caring
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Wealthy
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Funny
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Musical
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Easy-going
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Dominating
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Sensitive
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Artistic
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Now compare your impression with your partner’s impression, and mark the dimensions where you were
similar and where you were different. Then, in an essay, describe and explain your answers to the following
questions: On what dimensions were you the most similar and the most different in your impressions? What
specific nonverbal cues did you use to form your impressions of the person in the picture? Using what you
have learned in class and from your readings, why did the similarities and differences in your perceptions
occur? That is, what do you think has the biggest influence on your impression formation, and how did your
bases of impression formation impact your impressions of the photographed person? The best papers will
incorporate principles and theories from the lecture and course readings to explain the accuracy or
inaccuracy of impressions.