--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The reason we can assess people so…" description: "\"“The reason we can assess people so rapidly is that we compare what we see before us with a set of previously established stereotypes - expectations ba..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d9/glen-wilson-26786_stereotype_the-reason-we-can-assess-people-so-rapid_292693.jpg" --- # The reason we can assess people so rapidly is that we… ![“The reason we can assess people so rapidly is that we compare what we see before us with a set of previously established stereotypes - expectations based on what we have been told and what we have gained from past experience. Usually there is some element of truth in these stereotypes but they can…” quote by Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d9/glen-wilson-26786_stereotype_the-reason-we-can-assess-people-so-rapid_292693.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d9/glen-wilson-26786_stereotype_the-reason-we-can-assess-people-so-rapid_292693.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d9/glen-wilson-26786_stereotype_the-reason-we-can-assess-people-so-rapid_292693.jpg) > ““The reason we can assess people so rapidly is that we compare what we see before us with a set of previously established stereotypes - expectations based on what we have been told and what we have gained from past experience. Usually there is some element of truth in these stereotypes but they can also be misleading.”” [Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote explains that rapid judgments rely on stereotypes formed from prior knowledge, which can contain truth but also mislead. **In simple terms:** We judge quickly using stereotypes, which can be both accurate and deceptive. Key Takeaway Question and refine your assumptions. Themes psychology stereotyping perception bias decision making Mood analytical cautious Type analytical educational When to use this quote - human resources - education - media analysis - interpersonal communication Key Concepts cognitive shortcuts social cognition critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - How can we reduce reliance on stereotypes? - What checks can improve rapid assessments? A Different Perspective Stereotypes can reinforce prejudice and limit nuanced understanding. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Assess People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assess-people-2813549/) [Established Stereotypes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/established-stereotypes-2813546/) [Stereotype](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stereotype/) [Stereotypes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stereotypes/) [Stereotypes Expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stereotypes-expectations-2813547/) [Stereotypes Misleading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stereotypes-misleading-2813548/) ## Related quotes > [Urbanites may picture farmers as hip heritage-pig breeders returning to the land, or a struggling rural underclass waging a doomed battle to hang on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrystia-freeland/urbanites-may-picture-farmers-as-hip-heritage-pig-breeders-returning/) [Chrystia Freeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrystia-freeland/) > [My feeling is if you're going to be a leader, you have to carefully assess where people are and where people want to go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/my-feeling-is-if-you-re-going-to-be-a-leader-you-have-to-carefully/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Since I've been in this industry, it's been a constant fight; "Oh, he's white, he's Cuban." "He's tryin' to do hip-hop and he's too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pitbull/since-i-ve-been-in-this-industry-it-s-been-a-constant-fight-oh-he-s/) [Pitbull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pitbull/) > [The reliance on stereotypes is in part the result of a structural problem within the media. Most newspapers have a business beat, with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sasha-abramsky/the-reliance-on-stereotypes-is-in-part-the-result-of-a-structural/) [Sasha Abramsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sasha-abramsky/) > [ \[One task of intellectuals is\] to break down the stereotypes and reductive categories that are . . . limiting to human thought and communication. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-said/one-task-of-intellectuals-is-to-break-down-the-stereotypes-and/) [Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-said/) > [Unless you do the same thing, it's tough for stereotypes to stick. That said, whatever you've done that's most popular at a given moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-reilly/unless-you-do-the-same-thing-it-s-tough-for-stereotypes-to-stick-that/) [John C. Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-reilly/) > [There are certain stereotypes that are offensive. Some of them don't worry me, though. For instance, I have always thought that Mammy character in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-elizabeth-delany/there-are-certain-stereotypes-that-are-offensive-some-of-them-don-t/) [Annie Elizabeth Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-elizabeth-delany/) > [The gender stereotypes introduced in childhood are reinforced throughout our lives and become self-fulfilling prophesies. Most leadership positions are held by men, so women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/the-gender-stereotypes-introduced-in-childhood-are-reinforced/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [I think there's a stereotype of what a biker is, and I think that's one of the reasons people are shocked when they find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marisa-miller/i-think-there-s-a-stereotype-of-what-a-biker-is-and-i-think-that-s/) [Marisa Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marisa-miller/) > [There are a lot of stereotypes to be broken which I think a lot of us are doing. What I do is, as soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-chen/there-are-a-lot-of-stereotypes-to-be-broken-which-i-think-a-lot-of-us/) [Joan Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-chen/) > [If I see a black kid in a hoodie and it's late at night, I'm walking to the other side of the street. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cuban/if-i-see-a-black-kid-in-a-hoodie-and-it-s-late-at-night-i-m-walking/) [Mark Cuban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cuban/) > [Every time you hear anyone talk about the Caribbean, whether it's Caribbeans themselves or people outside, there's always talk about women's bodies. Talk about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junot-diaz/every-time-you-hear-anyone-talk-about-the-caribbean-whether-it-s/) [Junot Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junot-diaz/) > [Stereotypes have their roots in truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-walton-hamilton/stereotypes-have-their-roots-in-truth/) [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) > [Perhaps some are confused because they have stereotypes of how blacks should be and I respectfully decline, as I did in my youth, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-thomas/perhaps-some-are-confused-because-they-have-stereotypes-of-how-blacks/) [Clarence Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-thomas/) > [Yeah, I'm sure there are stereotypes of Asian people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-iha/yeah-i-m-sure-there-are-stereotypes-of-asian-people/) [James Iha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-iha/) ## More by Glen Wilson > [“We may not be aware of the exact significance of each gesture but the overall impression is usually quite accurate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-wilson/we-may-not-be-aware-of-the-exact-significance-of-each-gesture-but-the/) [Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) > [“A man's decision has an important effect upon how others will react to him. Although the impression gained is immediate and felt as instinctive,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-wilson/a-man-s-decision-has-an-important-effect-upon-how-others-will-react/) [Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) > [“Research shows that most of the decisions are made within the first four minutes, far too soon for personality and intelligence to be properly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-wilson/research-shows-that-most-of-the-decisions-are-made-within-the-first/) [Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) > [“Where body language conflicts with the words that are being said, the body language will usually be the more 'truthful' in the sense of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-wilson/where-body-language-conflicts-with-the-words-that-are-being-said-the/) [Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) > [“The eyes are the most powerful social signalers that we have and hence are sometimes called 'the windows of the soul' One of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-wilson/the-eyes-are-the-most-powerful-social-signalers-that-we-have-and/) [Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) > [“Research shows that women do judge status by the car men drive. Luxury cars convey high status. When a woman drives a sports car,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-wilson/research-shows-that-women-do-judge-status-by-the-car-men-drive-luxury/) [Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) > [“Gestural codes differ from place to place and there is great scope for misunderstanding.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-wilson/gestural-codes-differ-from-place-to-place-and-there-is-great-scope/) [Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) > [“The first impression sets the stage for further interaction.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-wilson/the-first-impression-sets-the-stage-for-further-interaction/) [Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) > [“It has been found that people are more sensitive to negative faces, picking sad and angry expressions out of a crowd more quickly than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-wilson/it-has-been-found-that-people-are-more-sensitive-to-negative-faces/) [Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) > [“Research confirms that we are more comfortable with people who are familiar looking, whether we know them very well or have not previously met…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-wilson/research-confirms-that-we-are-more-comfortable-with-people-who-are/) [Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) > [“Obviously, people should be free to present themselves any way they like but they need to be aware that every choice has consequences with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-wilson/obviously-people-should-be-free-to-present-themselves-any-way-they/) [Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) > [“Mirroring the body language of the interviewers may be a way of increasing rapport and making them feel more receptive towards you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-wilson/mirroring-the-body-language-of-the-interviewers-may-be-a-way-of/) [Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) > [“Eye contact can be used either as a means of seeking intimacy or as an attempt to intimidate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-wilson/eye-contact-can-be-used-either-as-a-means-of-seeking-intimacy-or-as/) [Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) > [“Faces may be hard to read because humans are complex social animals that have learned to suppress the display of emotions for various reasons.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-wilson/faces-may-be-hard-to-read-because-humans-are-complex-social-animals/) [Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) > [“Talk with a comfortable tempo - too fast sounds nervous and you might lose the audience, too slow can come across as dull-witted.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-wilson/talk-with-a-comfortable-tempo-too-fast-sounds-nervous-and-you-might/) [Glen Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) [Explore all 21 Glen Wilson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-wilson/) ## More Stereotype quotes > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [Don't be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don't let others discourage you or tell you that you can't do it. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-b-elion/don-t-be-afraid-of-hard-work-nothing-worthwhile-comes-easily-don-t/) [Gertrude B. Elion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-b-elion/) > [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/) [Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/) > [The male dares to be different to the degree that he accepts his passivity and his desire to be female, his fagginess. The farthest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-solanas/the-male-dares-to-be-different-to-the-degree-that-he-accepts-his/) [Valerie Solanas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-solanas/) > [For us as Asian-Americans, I think the bane of our existence is one stereotype - 'Sixteen Candles,' the Long Duk Dong character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-wu/for-us-as-asian-americans-i-think-the-bane-of-our-existence-is-one/) [Daniel Wu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-wu/) > [I hate the stereotype of the pitfalls of the child actor. There are so many amazing examples - Natalie Portman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jodie Foster,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-bell/i-hate-the-stereotype-of-the-pitfalls-of-the-child-actor-there-are-so/) [Jamie Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-bell/) > [In a manner akin to the influence of Tiger Woods on the other side of the Atlantic, Thierry Henry has helped kick down a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-gill/in-a-manner-akin-to-the-influence-of-tiger-woods-on-the-other-side-of/) [Pete Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-gill/) > [My stress on the truth in sexual stereotypes and on the biologic basis of sex differences is sure to cause controversy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/my-stress-on-the-truth-in-sexual-stereotypes-and-on-the-biologic/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [Yeah, I'm sure there are stereotypes of Asian people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-iha/yeah-i-m-sure-there-are-stereotypes-of-asian-people/) [James Iha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-iha/) > [I know that when you do similar kind of films, one after the other, people tend to stereotype and say, 'She is only good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huma-qureshi/i-know-that-when-you-do-similar-kind-of-films-one-after-the-other/) [Huma Qureshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huma-qureshi/) > [There are enough negative images of Black women out there and I did not want to portray Dorothy Vaughn in any stereotype. I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/there-are-enough-negative-images-of-black-women-out-there-and-i-did/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) > [Therefore reinforcing a stereotype, therefore thinking that the entire Indian culture is just made of people that are against their children's decisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parminder-nagra/therefore-reinforcing-a-stereotype-therefore-thinking-that-the-entire/) [Parminder Nagra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parminder-nagra/) > [As African-Americans, we don't start with a blank slate, while other people may. In our position, there's always some sort of stereotype that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xavier-woods/as-african-americans-we-don-t-start-with-a-blank-slate-while-other/) [Xavier Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xavier-woods/) > [The Metallica film was like this incredible life experience where I learned the most through guys that stereotypically you would think couldn't offer much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-berlinger/the-metallica-film-was-like-this-incredible-life-experience-where-i/) [Joe Berlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-berlinger/) > [I've just been really lucky to not be too much of a stereotype.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marisa-tomei/i-ve-just-been-really-lucky-to-not-be-too-much-of-a-stereotype/) [Marisa Tomei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marisa-tomei/) [Browse all 758 Stereotype quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stereotype/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The reason we can assess people so rapidly is that we compare what we see before us with a set of previously established stereotypes - expectations based on what we have been told and what we have gained from past experience. 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