People judge each other based on immediate intuitions - we make split-second judgments all the time.  But how reliable are first impressions?  During the next Science Pub on Tuesday, March 16 in Father Luke’s Room at McMenamins in Bend, you’ll get a chance to find out when Oregon State University social psychologist Frank Bernieri leads a discussion on how much first impressions really tell us.

Bernieri is the former chair of OSU’s psychology department and has been featured in network TV shows and other national media for his groundbreaking work on how quickly individuals form lasting impressions of others – typically within seconds of meeting them – and how difficult those perceptions are to change, even when shown to be unfair or wrong. 

He worked with the NBC newsmagazine Dateline on a project several years ago that looked at an Ohio employment agency’s in-depth interviews with candidates for a technical position. The agency produced comprehensive personality profiles, questionnaires and reams of background on the candidates. Bernieri had several focus groups analyze just five seconds of video of the opening handshake and correctly pick the successful candidate, nearly every time.

Bernieri received a B.A. from University of Rochester and his Ph.D. from Harvard University and Education.  He is currently an associate professor in the department of psychology at OSU.  

This Science Pub takes place from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for networking and food and beverage service, and the presentation begins at 6:00 p.m.  Science Pubs are sponsored by OSU-Cascades and the OSU Alumni Association.  Science Pubs are free and open to community members and OSU alumni. To view the full series, visit www.OSUcascades.edu/sciencepubs.   Participants are invited to RSVP on www.osualum.com.  For information call 541-737-2351 or 877-678-2837 (toll free) or e-mail osualum@oregonstate.edu.