Appraisal • [Variation] • dyn.pr. Reappraisal<–>Appraisal • a limited initial assessment • Not everything requires a complete evaluation. In fact, we are assualted by many new observations that we cannot possibly evaluate each fully. Instead, we make an Appraisal of what we encounter and use that limited assessment to determine our response, if any. This approach as the advantage of allowing us to deal more or less effeciently with an onslot of iimpressions and experiences. Of course, since this Appraisal is based on limited evidence, the real picture may be quite different than the thumbnail sketch. Yet, people are strongly influenced by first impressions and can become attached to an Appraisal without ever reconsidering it to see if it was incomplete or if things have changed. • syn. first impression, preliminary understanding, initial approach, initial assimilation.