On her first day on the job, Sandra Washington forgot her umbrella and returned from lunch soaking wet. Since that first day, she has never had a problem with remembering things related to her job, and she has not forgotten her umbrella. At the end of her first year on the job, her supervisor noted on Sandra's performance appraisal that Sandra had a problem with forgetfulness. This incident is an example of ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The incident is an example of the primacy effect, which refers to the tendency to remember the first information we learn about a person or topic more than the subsequent information. In this case, Sandra's supervisor formed an early impression of her as forgetful based on her first day on the job, and that impression influenced their perception of her performance throughout the year, despite her being on top of things afterward.

On Her First Day on the Job, Sandra Washington Forgot