Preconceptions

The Matt's are not 'rotten to the core'. This preconception was only made because of the accident and the effects it had on the rest of the family. This is proved by Carl's kind heart, and ambitions.

The Matt's should have gotten sympathy from Wattle Bay. Despite the fact that Des Matt killed the Duncan's son, no one knew the other side of the story. The reputation that Des Matt gave the family because of that day of the accident shouldn't stay with every Matt. No one accepted the fact that it was just a bit of mucking around gone wrong. Beryl grew up with no one accepting her as she was. People always judged for who she was. This effected how she was brought up. Maybe if she got some sympathy after the accident, she'd have been brought up differently, with more love in her.

To have preconceived ideas of people can cause future damage. You could miss out on the opportunities they could provide you with, the relationships you could share with them.  

Groups and people I preconceive in society are people of higher authority who are snobby. This impacts the way I treat them because I feel intimidated and as if all my rights are taken away, I get angry because of this and lose my respect for them.

The 'pygmalion effect' comes into play when making first impressions, where one rises to the level of expectations from another. This effect could impact in the future if you stop meeting them expectations and consequences are made because of this, or you fake meeting these expectations and one day reality hits.