Confirmation bias is an interesting phenomenon; it explains people’s misplaced confidence when evaluating someone’s character based on first impressions. If people allow their first impressions to be challenged, there is a chance that subsequent information will compel a revision. However, not everyone is willing to change their first impressions; somehow, their belief in being a good judge of character is threatened if their impression changes.

In this case, there is a resistance to new information that may challenge what they already believe is true. They will likely focus only on details that confirm their first impression while ignoring those that do not. This is why so many insist that, based on “sound” first impressions, they are excellent judges of character. Clearly, this is not necessarily so.

For this Discussion, you will consider a personal experience regarding first impressions and apply social psychology theory to explore how impressions form quickly and persist. 

To Prepare

• Review the Learning Resources for this week and consider how downward comparisons and idealized images of physical attractiveness impact the developing self-concept.
• Also, consider whether this impact would be different across race and ethnicity.

By Day 4

Post a description of a time when you were certain your first impression of someone you had just met was accurate, only to discover subsequently that you were mistaken. Describe how social psychology theory explains this phenomenon.

Select one biological agent.  Define the agent and explain how it affects humans.  Then, select a Foreign Terrorist Organization and explain why this group might employ the weapon you’ve selected.  Think about our various transportation systems, places people gather, etc- how/where might the group employ the agent?  What is the desired effect?  To accomplish this assignment, you must understand the goal of the terrorist group you’ve selected, and how the use of a biological weapon would further their agenda.

Remember to post your original contribution (of at least 300 words) to the discussion forum by Thursday, 11:55 PM. Post (at least) two substantive responses to your peers by Sunday, 11:55 PM. Remember to proofread/edit your posts.

Take a look at the following video, which depicts FBI Director Robert Mueller, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and National Counterterrorism Center Director Michael Leiter testified on current terrorist threats to the U.S., including the biological threat.

https://www.c-span.org/video/?295596-1/us-terrorist-threats