Meyer-Wallace Effect

The Meyer-Wallace Effect describes how a person's emotions or attitude toward a person or object can influence their perception of related information. When someone feels positively or negatively about a subject, they tend to interpret subsequent information in a way that confirms those feelings, reinforcing their existing beliefs. This cognitive bias creates a feedback loop: emotions shape perceptions, and perceptions strengthen emotions, making it harder to see things objectively. Essentially, our feelings can distort our judgment, leading us to favor information consistent with our current attitudes, which affects decision-making and opinions.