In which Wolf opens day 11's door... Watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/cfsR_GCuaGI
Welcome to the Beware of Wolf Advent Calendar of Bad Thinking. To celebrate the holidays, I'm counting down the days until Christmas with a common type of bad thinking each day, described in 60 seconds. This holiday season, give the gift of good thinking by sharing these videos with your friends!
Today is Day 11: "The Halo Effect"
Why do we pay attention when an athlete endorses a product that has nothing to do with their sport, or when a movie celebrity endorses a product that has nothing to do with acting? It's called the "halo effect."
We associate positive traits with these celebrities such as talent, luck, power, and success, so we are more likely to think positively of the product they endorse simply because of who they are.
But this can cause us to make irrational decisions based on a single factor alone: the "halo." This is why companies invest so heavily in celebrity endorsements – they know that you are more likely to pay attention to their pitch if they get the help of a famous face.
The best way to avoid being influenced by the halo effect is to take a step back and look at the facts objectively. Ask yourself if the product or service really deserves the praise it is getting. Do the work to make truly informed decision instead of letting familiar faces tell you what to think.
Now that you know about the halo effect, you can even use it to your benefit! Learn how to create a strong first impression when you meet people. The way you dress, speak, and carry yourself all affect others in subtle ways. If they're impressed by your initial presentation, then they're more likely to give you the benefit of the doubt on issues later. And in the longer term, by cultivating a positive reputation you can ensure that people will be more likely to view you in a favorable light.
Happy Holidays!