--- title: What People Assume When They First Meet You, According to Science description: How you move can affect others' perception canonical: https://time.com/4099607/first-impressions/ author: Business Insider article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-11-05T14:00:00.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T08:04:49.189Z article:section: Ideas og:title: What People Assume When They First Meet You, According to Science og:description: How you move can affect others' perception og:url: https://time.com/4099607/first-impressions/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt8fc087bcec190bbb/69886f8ca988cacace6b5210/men-handshake-close-up.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 6144 og:image:height: 3456 og:image:alt: men-handshake-close-up og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: What People Assume When They First Meet You, According to Science twitter:description: How you move can affect others' perception twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt8fc087bcec190bbb/69886f8ca988cacace6b5210/men-handshake-close-up.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # What People Assume When They First Meet You, According to Science > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: September 2026. ## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. 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Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk. #### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter? Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=ef909e38-6bdd-4f70-8c32-8fc7fe39f0e5&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1) ## Video: Diane von Furstenberg on the Most Important Relationships in Her Life [Watch (HLS stream): Diane von Furstenberg on the Most Important Relationships in Her Life](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/khZcaYPz.m3u8) (3:21)  _Published 2015-04-16. “When I was growing up, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but I knew the kind of woman I wanted to be. I wanted to be glamorous, I wanted to be independent, and I wanted to be driving my own bus,” says the iconic fashion designer._ by [Drake Baer / Business Insider](https://time.com/author/business-insider/) ## Drake Baer / Business Insider Nov 5, 2015 2:00 PM UTC  Bromance Bromance Getty Images by [Drake Baer / Business Insider](https://time.com/author/business-insider/) ## Drake Baer / Business Insider Nov 5, 2015 2:00 PM UTC Psychologists call it “thin slicing.” Within moments of meeting people, you decide all sorts of things about them, from status to intelligence to promiscuity. **If you’re trustworthy** People [decide on your trustworthiness in a tenth of a second](http://digest.bps.org.uk/2006/07/your-trustworthiness-is-judged-in.html). [Princeton researchers found this out](http://pss.sagepub.com/content/17/7/592.short?rss=1&ssource=mfc) by giving one group of university students 100 milliseconds to rate the attractiveness, competence, likeability, aggressiveness, and trustworthiness of actors’ faces. Members of another group were able to take as long as they wanted. While other traits differed depending on time spent looking, trustworthiness was basically the same. **If you’re high-status** A Dutch study found that people wearing name-brand clothes — Lacoste and Tommy Hilfiger, to be precise — were seen as higher status than folks wearing non-designer clothes. “Perceptions did not differ on any of the other dimensions that might affect the outcome of social interactions,” [the authors wrote.](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090513810001455) “There were no differences in perceived attractiveness, kindness, and trustworthiness.” Just status. **If you’re smart** A [2007 study](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17312315) led by Loyola Marymount University professor Nora A. Murphy found that looking your conversation partner in the eye was huge for your perceived smartness. “Looking while speaking was a key behavior,” [she wrote](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17312315). “It significantly correlated with IQ, was successfully manipulated by impression-managing targets, and contributed to higher perceived intelligence ratings.” [Wearing thick glasses](http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-look-smart-2015-2#put-on-thick-glasses-3) and [speaking expressively](http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-look-smart-2015-2#speak-expressively-7) helps, too. **If you’re promiscuous** A [British study](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1740144507000678) found that women with visible tattoos were perceived as less attractive, heavier drinkers, and more promiscuous than females without any ink — which owes to stereotypes about women with tattoos. “In Britain, at least, tattooing among women is often associated with ‘ladette’ culture, the female equivalent of ‘lad’ culture, which typically involves a proclivity for alcoholic beverages, sports, fast cars, and a plethora of men’s magazines,” [the authors wrote](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1740144507000678). **If you’re dominant** Bald isn’t just beautiful; it’s powerful. A [University of Pennsylvania study found](http://spp.sagepub.com/content/4/2/198.short) that “men with shaved heads were rated as more dominant than similar men with full heads of hair,” and that “men whose hair was digitally removed were perceived as more dominant, taller, and stronger than their authentic selves.” So if it’s starting to go, shave it off. **If you’re successful** If you want to look successful, get it tailored. In [a British-Turkish study](http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/13612021311305128), participants looked at photos of men in tailored versus off-the-peg suits for just five seconds, with the guys in tailored suits rated as more successful. “On the evidence of this study it appears men may be advised to purchase clothing that is well‐tailored, as it can positively enhance the image they communicate to others,” [the authors wrote](http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/13612021311305128). **If you’re on your way to a promotion** It’s not just status — it’s earnings potential, too. In [a 2011 Canadian study](http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/men/12/2/166/), university students were shown photos of male models dressed in either business or casual attire. They were then asked questions about how that person would perform in a variety of jobs. The results were stark: Not only were the crisply dressed men expected to make more money, they were expected to get promoted more rapidly. **If you’re adventurous** People don’t just read into who you are from your appearance, but also from the way you move. [In a Durham University study](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010027712001102), students were shown video clips of 26 other students walking — some with looser gaits, some tighter. Just a few steps were needed to give a sense of personality. Students equated looser gaits with extroversion and adventurousness, while the more clipped walkers were seen as neurotic. _This_ [_article_](http://www.businessinsider.com/science-of-first-impressions-2015-2) _originally appeared on_ [_Business Insider_](http://www.businessinsider.com) _More from Business Insider:_ * [9 science-backed tricks for appearing smarter than you are](http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-look-smart-2015-2) * [7 psychological traps that can undermine your success](http://www.businessinsider.com/how-we-sabotage-our-own-success-at-work-2015-8) * [The psychological trick that can help you make better decisions and be more successful](http://www.businessinsider.com/psychological-trick-to-make-better-decisions-2015-10) * [4 psychological tricks to instantly appear competent](http://www.businessinsider.com/tricks-to-instantly-appear-competent-2015-5) * [An introvert shares her favorite psychological trick for speaking in front of strangers](http://www.businessinsider.com/public-speaking-for-introverts-2015-6) ## Transcript [ MUSIC ] When I was growing up, I, I didn't really know what I wanted to do. But I knew the kind of woman I wanted to be. I wanted to be glamorous, I wanted to be independent. And I wanted to be. Driving my own bus. My main inspiration was my mother. In 1945, she went to the, death camps for 13 months. She survived them, and, but she weighed 49 pounds. The doctor says you could be married. But you absolutely cannot have a child for quite a few years. Well, just a few months later I was born. And I was not normal. That, in so many ways, explains everything about me, about my life, about how I handle things. Survival, independent. Is very important. [ MUSIC ] The next thing is that very, very quickly I developed a relationship with myself. And I'm so lucky I did because the most important relationship in life is the one you have with yourself. If you have that. Any other relationship is a plus and not a must. [ MUSIC ] Some days I totally feel like a loser. And I don't know anyone who is truly successful who doesn't feel like a loser. Feeling like a loser is a little bit part of fueling your energy. To go on. First sign of success is first that you are financially independent and that's important but immediately after or at the same is you have a voice and I think that is where one should uses ones success. Because if you have a voice, it is your duty, but it's also your privilege and your gift to help. To use your voice for people who have no voice. I lived three, three moments of my career. I lived an American dream. Where everything went so fast, where I became successful so fast, and I couldn't follow, it went so fast. And then I sold my company and I thought I was finished with fashion. I realized that my work was my identity. And I felt very bad about it. And it took me a long time to take it over again. And, and then I started again. Now there's a third moment. Which is legacy. With my work and with my brand its not just about a little dress but its about a spirit I celebrate freedom I empower women and I sell confidence but its the spirit around all of that that I would like to. I would like that to last after me. 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