What process do individuals engage in to form impressions of others?

The process of forming impressions of others is primarily rooted in perception. Perception involves the way we interpret and make sense of the information we receive from others through various cues, such as body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, and the content of their speech. It is influenced by our past experiences, cultural background, and social context, which shape how we view and understand the behaviors and characteristics of others.

Attribution relates to how we explain the reasons behind someone else's behavior, but it is a narrower aspect within the broader process of perception. Evaluation refers to the judgment or assessment of others, which can be a part of our perceptual processes, but it is not the overarching mechanism. Communication encompasses the exchange of information but does not specifically address the cognitive processes involved in forming impressions of others. Thus, understanding perception is essential for interpreting and responding to the impressions we form in social interactions.