1. We all have first impression of someone we just met. But why? Why do
we form an opinion about someone without really knowing anything about him or
her—aside perhaps from a few remarks or readily observable traits.
2. The answer is related to how your brain allows you to be aware of the
world. Your brain is so sensitive in picking up facial traits, even very minor
difference in how a person's eyes, ears, nose, or mouth are placed in relation
to each other makes you see him or her as different. In fact, your brain
continuously process incoming sensory information—the sights and sounds of your
world. These incoming "signals" are compared against a host of "memories" stored
in the brain areas called the cortex (大脑皮层) system to determine what these new
signals "mean". 3. If you see someone you know and like at
school, your brain says "familiar and safe". If you see someone new, it says,
"new-potentially, threatening". Then your brain starts to match features of this
stranger with other "known" memories. The height, weight, dress, ethnicity,
gestures, and tone of voice are all matched up. The more unfamiliar the
characteristics, the more your brain may say, "This is new. I don't like this
person." Or else, "I'm intrigued". Or your brain may perceive a new face but
familiar clothes, ethnicity, gestures—like your other friends; so your brain
says: "I like this person." But these preliminary "impressions" can be dead
wrong. 4. When we stereotype people, we use a less mature form
of thinking (not unlike the immature thinking of a very young child) that makes
simplistic and categorical impressions of others. Rather than learn about the
depth and breadth of people—their history, interest, values, strengths, and true
character—we categorize them as jocks, geeks, or freaks. 5.
However, if we resist initial stereotypical impressions, we have a chance to be
aware of what a person is truly like. If we spend time with a person, hear about
his or her life, hopes, dreams, and become aware of the person's character, we
use a different, more mature style of thinking—and the most complex areas of our
cortex, which allow us to be humane. A. Ways of Departure from
Immature and Simplistic Impressions B. Comment on First
Impression C. Illustration of First Impression
D. Comparing Incoming Sensory Information against Memories E.
Threatening Aspect of First Impressions F. Differences among
Jocks, Geeks and Freaks
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Paragraph 2 ______
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Paragraph 3 ______
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Paragraph 4 ______
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Paragraph 5 ______
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Sensory information is one that is perceived through ______.
A. a stranger's less mature type of thinking
B. the most complex areas of our cortex
C. the immature form of thinking of a very young child
D. the meaning of incoming sensory information
E. the sights and sounds of the world
F. an opportunity to analyze different forms of thinking
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You interpret ______ by comparing it against the memories already stored in your brain.
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The way we stereotype people is a less mature form of thinking, which is similar to ______.
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We can use our more mature style of thinking thanks to ______.