The Pratfall Effect
A blunder makes a competent person more likable and a mediocre one less. Status decides which.
Grounded in the research on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratfall_effect
What it is
The pratfall effect: a visible blunder makes a highly competent person MORE likable, not less. Elliot Aronson named it in 1966. The catch is it only works one direction. Same mistake, an average person, and likability drops. Competence is the gate. No competence, no buff.
The 1966 experiment
Aronson had male University of Minnesota students listen to audio of actors on a mock College Bowl quiz. Two tiers: a star answering 92% correct, and an average guy at 30%. Half the tapes added the actor spilling coffee on himself and apologizing. The spill made the star more liked. The same spill made the average guy LESS liked. One sound effect, opposite results.