Want to make a good first impression?

We all like to be liked and want to make a good impression. Tooley “found that a space that is aesthetically satisfying and valued, contributes to the likeability of its occupants. . . . The broad purpose of [his] research is to understand how everyday spaces where we encounter strangers might affect our first impressions. This research aimed to do this through a psychological concept which aptly frames these scenarios, known as zero acquaintance judgements (ZAJ). ZAJs are cast in everyday contexts when we encounter strangers. . . . A ZAJ is considered amongst the most fleeting of human interactions lasting no longer than a few minutes . . . therefore, malls, trains, coffee shops, restaurants, public toilets, and the street are some examples of where this prevalent and natural phenomenon takes place. . . . First impressions count and are difficult to change, so once a ZAJ is cast it affects future interrelations between people.”

Jack Tooley.  2021.  “How Space Affects Social Value Judgements at Zero Acquaintance, with Particular Reference to Civic Transitory Space.”  Doctoral Dissertation, Curtin University,  https://espace.curtin.edu.au/handle/20.500.11937/84125