Middle name initials often appear in formal contexts, especially when
people refer to intellectual achievements. On the basis of this common
link, the display of middle initials increases positive evaluations of
people's intellectual capacities and achievements. We document this
effect in seven studies: Middle initials in authors' names increased the
evaluation of their writing performance (Study 1), and middle initials
increased perceptions of status (Studies 2 and 4). Moreover, the middle
initials effect was specific to intellectual performance (Studies 3 and
6), and it was mediated by perceived status (Studies 5–7). Besides
supporting our hypotheses, the results of these studies yield important
implication for everyday life.