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social
You become more likable after making a small, visible mistake.
The pratfall effect suggests that a minor error makes a highly competent individual more appealing, but can decrease the appeal of someone perceived as mediocre.
The claim implies the effect is universal, whereas the original 1966 study by Aronson et al. demonstrated that attractiveness increases only for high-competence individuals.
Perfection is a barrier to rapport, not an asset.
Where this comes from
- Study
- Elliot Aronson, 1966, Psychonomic Science
- What the check found
- The claim omits the critical condition that the 'pratfall' only improves the likability of the highly competent.
- Confidence
- Solid, with limits
Related
One of these every day, and every one names the study it came from. When a finding is contested, it says so.