Our first impressions of others are often formed in a fraction of a second, based on subtle cues from faces and voices that our brains interpret through learned stereotypes. These instantaneous judgments, which can influence everything from hiring decisions to criminal sentencing, are deeply rooted in our evolutionary past as a survival mechanism. While we often believe we are rational, our brains are constantly making these rapid, unconscious assessments to help us navigate social interactions and determine who to trust or avoid.