Cognitive Biases- Halo Effect vs. Horn Effect
Okay, cognitive effect, the halo/horn effect- how well can we illustrate them? Let’s start with the halo effect. When we meet someone, and the first impression created is positive, then we automatically ignore the negativity in the person and concentrate only on their positive characteristics. We start seeing them in the halo of the positive first impression. This is simply the Halo effect. For instance, an interview starting with a positive statement from the interviewee indicates that the interviewer will form a positive impression on the interviewer. Simple as that!
For the horn effect, if our first impression about someone is negative, we often ignore their positive characteristics and focus only on the negative ones. We tend to see them in the light of the negative first impression and hence we might not like the person. This is simply the horn effect. For example, if an interview started out with a negative statement from the interviewee, there is a higher probability that he won’t be accepted due to horn effect. In other words, It’s a cognitive bias that makes you allow one trait, either good) or bad to dominate other traits, actions, behaviors, or beliefs.
In the world of psychology, both the halo and horns effects happen every time. On average, attractive people are believed to be more intelligent even though this is not true in all cases. Overweight people are as well believed to be lazy, which might not necessarily be the case. In fact, horn/halo effect is one of the strongest and potentially harmful, mental models you will encounter in your life. It has the ability to cloud your judgment, and because it is related to the mere association mental model, it can make you make sub-standard decisions or hold irrational beliefs. You need to train yourself to actively fight against it.
It is still important for you to realize that the halo and horn effect are not without merit. While you also need to remove them from your cognition, they are still essential to effects your behavior.
I wouldn’t want to be friends with people who lie, cheat or steal even if they are great at other things. Nothing seems wrong with being cautious when an otherwise bad person says something that makes sense; the proverbial “devil in a Sunday hat”.
A great idea is a great idea even if the idea is proposed by the town drunk. A bad idea is also a bad idea, even if proposed by the town hero. Do not forget this and ensure to act accordingly. This is a reason why mature thinkers don’t take offense when people attacks their ideas or positions– they are not extensions of the person, but instead must stand on their own.
I enjoy nothing more than challenging my own beliefs from all sides to check if it can withstand the force. That approach is simply why I get more and more rational each passing year, and of course, my real-world results reflect that. Nothing feels original in this approach. Anyone can adopt it.
