Define halo effect

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The halo effect is a cognitive bias in which the perception of one trait of a person or thing is influenced by the perception of another trait of that same person or thing. For example, if someone is physically attractive, people are more likely to also perceive them as intelligent, kind, or competent, even without evidence to support these additional traits. The term "halo" refers to the characteristic where one positive trait creates a "halo" of good perceptions around a person. This bias can affect various aspects of life, including hiring practices, performance evaluations, and personal relationships. Conversely, the "horns effect" is the opposite, where one negative trait leads to the perception of other negative traits.