How+We+Describe+Others

Even when we do not know a person very well, we make assumptions about their personalities. Many of us have developed what is called the implicit #|personality theory. The implicit personality theory is a pattern of qualities that we group with certain #|people. We use the implicit personality theory in order to better understand people and to organize the array of information we have about people's personalities. We develop constructs to help us classify people. We put people in two different categories: people we do not like, and people we do like. When we like someone, the halo effect is often created. The halo effect is when we attribute positive qualities to a person without knowing for sure if those qualities really exist in the person. When we dislike a person, the horn effect is often created. The horn effect is when we attribute negative qualities to a person without knowing if those qualities really exist in the person.