1 Explain how the following factors influence person perception, with an example foreach answer.a Physical cuesb Saliency detectionc Social categorisation2 How might the halo effect influence our impression of someone that we wouldconsider unattractive?3 Give examples that have not been used in the text of three common body languageexpressions (e.g. postures or gestures) and describe the first impression that eachmight give.4 What is the purpose of saliency detection?5 What is a disadvantage of saliency detection?6 Identify a strength and limitation of social categorisation.Figure 7A–12 A person who receives a bad test result mightlook for reasons why and make an attribution about themarker’s behaviour.Attributionsinferences thatwe make aboutthe causes ofevents andbehaviours (bothour own andthose of others)328CHAPTER 7 SOCIAL COGNITIONISBN 978-1-009-25401-4Photocopying is restricted under law and this material must not be transferred to another party.Gallagher et al© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2023

a) Physical cues: These are the visual elements that we notice about a person, such as their appearance, clothing, body language, etc. For example, if a person is dressed professionally, we might perceive them as competent and successful. b) Saliency detection: This refers to our ability to focus on the most significant or noticeable aspects of a person or situation. For example, if a person is speaking loudly in a quiet room, our attention will be drawn to them. c) Social categorisation: This is the process of classifying people into groups based on common characteristics. For example, we might categorise someone as a "student" if they are young and carrying a backpack.

2. The halo effect is a cognitive bias where our overall impression of a person influences how we feel and think about their character. If we consider someone unattractive, the halo effect might cause us to also perceive them as less friendly, less intelligent, or less competent, even if there is no actual evidence to support these perceptions.

a) Crossed arms: This might give the impression that a person is defensive or not open to other people's ideas. b) Eye contact: If a person maintains good eye contact, it might give the impression that they are confident and attentive. c) Slouched posture: This might give the impression that a person is uninterested or lacks confidence.

4. The purpose of saliency detection is to help us focus our attention on the most important or relevant aspects of our environment. It allows us to filter out irrelevant information and respond appropriately to different situations.

5. A disadvantage of saliency detection is that it can lead to biases and stereotypes. We might focus on certain aspects of a person or situation while ignoring others, which can lead to inaccurate perceptions and judgments.

6. A strength of social categorisation is that it helps us make sense of the world by grouping similar things together. However, a limitation is that it can lead to stereotyping and discrimination, as we may make assumptions about individuals based on the groups we categorise them into.