Final answer:
The phrase refers most closely to the 'Primacy effect,' though it is not directly mentioned in the provided options. 'Self-fulfilling prophecy' is related but not an exact match for the aphorism about first impressions. Social psychology studies such effects by analyzing situational factors that influence human behavior, including the creation and reinforcement of initial perceptions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The aphorism "You never get a second chance to make a first impression" is best summarized by the concept of the Primacy effect, which refers to the tendency to remember and be influenced by the first information we receive about a person or situation. None of the provided options, such as social identity theory (Attribution theory), Self-fulfilling prophecy, or the options within the reference information, i.e., actor-observer bias, fundamental attribution error, self-serving bias, just-world hypothesis, scapegoat theory, and congruence, directly match the aphorism about first impressions.
However, the self-fulfilling prophecy is closely related as it can contribute to making a first impression last. For example, if we expect someone to behave in a certain way based on our first impression, our actions toward them may cause them to fulfill those expectations, reinforcing the initial impression. This concept is highlighted in the reference information regarding a "bank run" scenario orchestrated by Robert K. Merton and the research of Rosenthal and Jacobson (1968) on teacher expectations of students.
In social psychology, the field focuses on situational factors that affect human behavior, highlighting how our environment and immediate contexts shape our actions and perceptions, including first impressions.