9 signs you're more likable than you realize

You make a great first impression

First impressions are notoriously hard to shake — so if you make a solid one, you're basically set up to be likable for life.

In one 2016 study published in the journal of Social Psychological and Personality Science, researchers found that participants' evaluations of people in photographs ended up influencing their perceptions of those people even after they'd met them in real life.

That said, if you do make a poor first impression, there are ways to reverse it. For example, if someone views you negatively, you can help them see your behavior in a new context.

Say you ignore an acquaintance on the street because you just had a massive fight with your partner and aren't in the mood to talk. Later you find out that the acquaintance thinks you're a jerk. You might want to get in touch with her and explain that you normally love talking to her, but you'd just finished sobbing and didn't want to embarrass yourself or her.

You show positive emotions

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood! (Isn't it?)

According to a research paper from the Ohio State University and the University of Hawaii, people can unconsciously feel the emotions of those around them.

The authors of the paper say that's possibly because we naturally mimic others' movements and facial expressions, which in turn makes us feel something similar to what they're feeling.

It follows then that if you're generally upbeat and enthusiastic, other people will feel the same when you're around.

You're not always perfect

Ever tripped on the carpet on your way out of an important meeting? Go you!

Science suggests that revealing you aren't perfect can make you seem more relatable and vulnerable toward the people around you.

Researcher Elliot Aronson at the University of Texas, Austin first discovered this phenomenon when he studied how simple mistakes can affect perceived attraction. He asked male students from the University of Minnesota to listen to tape recordings of people taking a quiz.

When people did well on the quiz but spilled coffee at the end of the interview, the students rated them higher on likability than when they did well on the quiz and didn't spill coffee or didn't do well on the quiz and spilled coffee.

In other words, you have to reveal that you're competent before making a mistake — otherwise you'll just seem silly.

You let people talk about themselves

People like talking about themselves. And if you let them do that? They'll like you too.

Harvard researchers discovered that talking about yourself may be inherently rewarding, the same way that food, money, and sex are.

In one study, the researchers had participants sit in an fMRI machine and respond to questions about either their own opinions or someone else's. Participants had been asked to bring a friend or family member to the experiment, who was sitting outside the fMRI machine. In some cases, participants were told that their responses would be shared with the friend or relative; in other cases, their responses would be kept private.

Results showed that the brain regions associated with motivation and reward were most active when participants were sharing information publicly — but also were active when they were talking about themselves without anyone listening.

You have a good sense of humor

If you're able to find the funny in any situation, you're probably well-liked by your friends and colleagues.

Research from Illinois State University and California State University at Los Angeles found that, regardless of whether people were thinking about their ideal friend or romantic partner, a sense of humor was really important.

Another study from researchers at DePaul University and Illinois State University found that using humor when you're first getting to know someone can make the person like you more. In fact, the study suggested that participating in a humorous task (like having someone wear a blindfold while the other person teaches them a dance) can increase romantic attraction.

You're highly empathetic

If you want to be popular — meaning well-liked, not well-known but hated — you'd do well to cultivate empathy for others.

Researchers at the University of Surrey, Yale University, and an executive-coaching organization found that more emotionally intelligent and empathetic employees got along better with colleagues and had achieved higher company rank. (Emotional intelligence is related to empathy.)

Meanwhile, other research, published in 2014 in The Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, suggests that highly empathic managers lead better-performing teams.

In his 2016 book "The Power Paradox," University of California, Berkeley, psychologist Dacher Keltner offers some tips on becoming more empathetic, and in turn more powerful: Ask open-ended questions, listen actively, and ask others what they would do in a particular situation before offering advice.

You know when and how to share something personal

Research suggests that the development of friendship is based largely on self-disclosure: sharing details about your life with another person. But if you get too personal too fast, you risk sabotaging your own likability.

If you reveal something highly intimate, especially something negative, early on in a relationship, it suggests that you're insecure and can decrease your likability, according to research by Valerian J. Derlega at Old Dominion University and colleagues.

Try gradually opening up and encouraging the other person to do the same. You might eventually discuss some of the topics covered by the participants in one study: your favorite hobbies and your happiest childhood memories.

You nod attentively while other people are speaking

Nodding your head is an easy way to ingratiate yourself with your conversation partner.

A small Japanese study found that computer-generated figures who nodded were rated more likeable, attractive, and approachable than those who shook their head or stayed still. In fact, the likability of the nodders was about 40% higher than it was for the still figures.

This technique works outside the lab too: As behavioral investigator Vanessa Van Edwards writes on HuffPost, you can use the "triple nod" as a subtle cue for your conversation partner to keep talking. She writes, "Once they are done speaking and pause, nod three times in quick succession and they will often continue."

You ask a lot of questions in conversation

Oh, do tell.

In a series of studies, Harvard researchers discovered that people who ask lots of questions are rated more likable than their conversation partners than people who ask fewer questions. Follow-up questions (ones related to something you've just been discussing) are especially helpful.

In one study, the researchers analyzed the results of a speed-dating session and found that people who asked more follow-up questions were more likely to be asked on a second date.