The pratfall effect, identified by Elliot Aronson in 1966, found that a competent person who makes a small, visible mistake becomes MORE likable, not less. A minor stumble reads as warmth and relatability, so the perfectionism that makes you freeze is actually working against you.
The study
Aronson had people listen to a recording of someone performing on a quiz show. In some versions the performer clumsily spilled a cup of coffee. When the performer was clearly competent, the blunder made them more appealing. The flaw made the impressive person feel human and approachable.
The important nuance
It is not a license to be a mess. In the same research, an average performer who spilled the coffee became less likable. The pratfall effect rewards a small stumble from someone who has already shown they are capable. The lesson is not to chase mistakes, but to stop fearing the small, recoverable ones.
That reframe is freeing: you do not have to be flawless to be liked, and a graceful recovery from a stumble often lands better than a perfect performance. Recovering smoothly is itself a skill you can rehearse.