Here’s another obstacle to objectively evaluating a person. There are many aspects of people. If you are attracted to one aspect strongly, you might (subconsciously) allow that characteristic to serve as a token for that person’s other personality characteristics. As this article from PsyBlog indicates [1], this is called the “Halo Effect.”
The ‘halo effect’ is a classic finding in social psychology. It is the idea that global evaluations about a person (e.g. she is likeable) bleed over into judgements about their specific traits (e.g. she is intelligent). Hollywood stars demonstrate the halo effect perfectly. Because they are often attractive and likeable we naturally assume they are also intelligent, friendly, display good judgement and so on. That is, until we come across (sometimes plentiful) evidence to the contrary . . .
So, the next time you vote for a politician, consider buying a pair of designer jeans or decide whether you like someone, ask yourself whether the halo effect is operating. Are you really evaluating the traits of the person or product you thought you were? Alternatively is some global aspect bleeding over into your specific judgement? This simple check could save you voting for the wrong person, wasting your money or rejecting someone who would be a loyal friend.
But sometimes a trait probably should be used as a token for that person’s other traits (with lots of asterisks, of course). If a person shows herself to be conscientious and kind, she is probably trustworthy. And consider this question, Do bad drivers (or bad eaters) make bad voters? [2]
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