How to study what people do when they say 'My first impression of X was...'

What is it about?

The paper showcases a qualitative approach to studying reported first impressions; that is, stretches of talk such as 'My first impression of X was...'. I discuss some of the methodological challenges of conducting a discursive analysis on this topic, in particular, building a collection of reported first impressions invoked spontaneously by people in conversation. The paper also features a single case analysis of a reported first impression and preliminary results.

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Why is it important?

The paper provides a novel perspective on first impressions which, until recently, have been treated as representations of mental images that presumably exist in our heads. It showcases an empirical analysis of reported first impressions without adhering, apriori, to theoretical assumptions about mind and cognition and their role in everyday communication.