Introduction
A first impression is what you think about someone when you first
meet him or her. Some say that a first impression greatly shapes
our idea of someone. Others say that the first impression does not
have a big impact. Are first impressions really that important?
Let’s see what our debaters think.
Constructive
Debater 1 Henry
First impressions matter. Psychologists have repeatedly shown that
human beings create judgments of others within the first few seconds
of meeting them. We look at the way that the stranger behaves, talks,
and presents himself or herself. Our brains then create an idea
of what we think about that person. First impressions may change
after getting to know him or her better. However, first impressions
leave a lasting impact.
Debater
2 Ashley
First impressions do not matter. Have you heard the phrase, “Never
judge a book by its cover?” The phrase means that we can tell little
about what is inside a book based on its cover. We must read the
story before placing judgment. Similarly, we can tell little about
a person based on our first impression. It is important to get to
know the person first before judging him or her.
Rebuttal
Debater 1 Henry
I agree that it is important to get to know someone before judging
him or her. However, research still shows that human beings naturally
judge others based on our first impressions. This means that first
impressions do have an impact. I agree that the story of the book
is more important than the cover. However, this does not mean that
the cover does not impact what we think of the book.
Debater
2 Ashley
The question is asking whether first impressions matter. It is true
that human beings create first impressions within the first few
seconds of meeting someone new. However, first impressions tell
little about who the person actually is. Also, our idea of a person
usually changes after getting to know him or her better. Therefore,
why should we care about the first few moments of a relationship?
First impressions do not matter.
Judge’s
Comments
The winner of today’s debate is Henry. Ashley committed the fallacy
called “cliche thinking” because she presented a well-known idiom
as evidence. Ashley included the saying, “Never judge a book by
its cover.” She should have focused more on presenting specific
reasons why a first impression is not important.