Impression formation

I chose to observe the New York Time’s Diner’s Journal, a blog on dining and wine. As an avid reader of the Times’ weekly Dining Out section, I chose to analyze this blog because I knew I would find it particularly interesting. The most prominent blogger on the site is Frank Bruni, who is one of the Time’s most respected restaurant reviewers.

Upon reading Bruni’s posts I was able to develop an impression of him based on his truly unique writing style and voice. From his blog, many of Bruni’s personality traits become obvious in the initial impression making process. For instance, his writing suggests that he is not an amateur in terms of restaurant culture, and has quite a sophisticated knowledge of food. He knows what should be expected of a restaurant, and what sets certain restaurants apart from others. In terms of the “Big 5” personality traits, I think I would consider Bruni to be extraverted, in that he is has strong opinions that he makes sure are heard. In order to be a restaurant reviewer in a city like New York, I think this trait is necessary, due to the extraordinarily high standard set in what many would consider to be the restaurant capital of the world. Bruni is not afraid to criticize some of the city’s finest restaurants, as well as praise some of its least prestigious. In addition, he displays a level of openness. He begins one post stating that he found himself “choked-up and misty-eyed” one morning upon reading a column that considered the Upper West Side of Manhattan to be a restaurant Mecca. This opening reveals two things that suggest openness. Firstly, it reveals Bruni’s deep level of emotion that he can devote to a food related statement. Secondly, it openly announces to a broad array of individuals where he resides, which to most is an extremely personal detail.

As I went about forming such impressions, I felt as though the theory that most closely explained the process of impression formation was the Hyperpersonal Theory. I felt as though the lack of cues, such as age, gender, and race, allowed me to focus solely on Bruni and his opinions of the food and restaurants he was reviewing. While the breadth of the impressions I was forming was rather narrow, the intensity of such impressions was quite deep. For example, from reading the blog it became obvious that Bruni has a deep appreciation for New York City and its cultural in that he almost always injects a statement praising the city.