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First impressions strongly shape individuals’ perceptions in various social settings, such as job interviews, group interactions, and romantic encounters.

When forming impressions, a pattern called the primacy effect occurs, in which individuals give more weight to information they learn first.

The primacy effect occurs because individuals interpret new information to fit their first impression. For example, if a roommate is seen as neat and considerate, their untidiness may be viewed as a rare lapse rather than habitual messiness.

Another explanation for the primacy effect is that individuals focus on early information and pay less attention once they feel ready to judge.

Conversely, the recency effect occurs when recent information influences an individual’s impression more than earlier information.

The recency effect can be seen in courtroom settings, where jurors’ verdicts can shift depending on whether the prosecution or defense presents their case last.