Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende is the most competent politician while Geert Wilders is the least competent - based on first impressions, that is.
In an experiment on first impressions carried out by US psychologist Alexander Todorov of Princetown University, students were asked to look at ten photographs of Dutch politicians. The research was carried out at the request of a science programme produced by Dutch public broadcasters VPRO and Teleac.
Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders was chosen as the least competent face on first impressions. He was even beaten by Dutch singer Gordon whose picture was added as a red herring.
Labour leader Wouter Bos and GreenLeft leader Femke Halsema came joint second. Socialist Party leader Agnes Kant came third, followed by former conservative VVD leader Hans Wiegel and current VVD leader Mark Rutte (fifth place). Former minister and current European Commissioner Neelie Kroes and D66 party leader Alexander Pechtold came joint sixth. Proud of the Netherlands party leader Rita Verdonk was seventh.
The students were not given the names of the politicians. Professor of Psychology Alexander Todorov of Princeton University is specialised in first impressions of people. He is well known for the predictive skills of his 'snapshot test'. In more than 80 percent of cases, Professor Todorov has beenable to predict results based on the primary reaction of students.
© Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Jan Peter Balkenende
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Looks are often deceptive and first impressions aren't always the last impressions! If Jan Peter Balkenende is so competant, why is he out always before the term expires? And absolute power and political skills harden a person's looks, and a person who is always in the opposition or new cannot have that look...Give Geert Wilders a chance. He will be flexible when he heads a country and has people of all ethnicities as his subjects...Do not write him off because some persons in RNW do not like him...RNW always finds a a way to ridicule or humiliate him. Media has the power to make or break a politician or a celebrity. Do not misuse that power. RNW needs to be impartial and unbiased as international newscasters. Respect the verdict of the Dutch.
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