Spatial influences on first impressions: a case study on how stranger behavior is judged in urban transitional spaces

Abstract

This research examines the overlooked phenomenon of first impressions between strangers in urban and psychological research. These rapid social judgments have a significant impact on potential future relations and contribute to a sense of welcomeness and belonging in communities. They occur abundantly in urban transitory spaces such as streets, malls, public squares, park(let)s and other in-between arenas where we frequently encounter strangers. This study formed and tested a theoretical hypothesis about how the composition of such spaces affects first impressions through survey-experiment and causal-comparative analysis. The discussion highlights and introduces the relevance of first impressions to urban discourse while offering a pathway to spatially investigate them. The findings have implications for convivial design and psychological research.

Keywords

• First impressions
• convivial
• zero acquaintance judgment
• affordance strength
• urban psychology
• Michael Hardman, University of Salford, UK