Psychology: Biases in Person Perception

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

How much more did above average attractive lawyers earn compared to below average attractive lawyers five years after graduation?

5-6%

10-11%

12-13%

8-9% (correct)

What was the difference in earnings between most attractive and least attractive MBA graduates?

$2,500

$10,000

$5,000 (correct)

$7,500

Which of the following factors has been shown to NOT influence the effect of physical attractiveness on job-related outcomes?

Physical fitness level (correct)

Job relevant information

Type of job

Gender of the individual

What is the overall effect size range of physical attractiveness biasing job-related outcomes according to the meta-analytic review?

.34-.37 Signup and view all the answers

How long after graduation was the earnings difference between attractive and unattractive lawyers reported to be 12-13%?

15 years Signup and view all the answers

What does the primacy effect in person perception primarily refer to?

Over-reliance on early cues or first impressions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the implicit personality theory?

The belief that certain traits are consistent and linked together Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the 'similar-to-me effect' in performance appraisals?

Favoring individuals who share similar traits or backgrounds Signup and view all the answers

Which bias might lead to a generalization about an individual based on their social category?

Stereotyping Signup and view all the answers

How does reliance on central traits influence perception?

It results in organizing perceptions around specific traits of interest. Signup and view all the answers

What effect describes the tendency to rate all individuals toward the middle of a scale?

Central tendency error Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of projection in person perception?

Inferring that others share similar interests based on one's own Signup and view all the answers

Which bias can lead to a situation where an employee is evaluated harshly based on their physical appearance?

Contrast effect Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of affirmative action policies?

To give preference to historically disadvantaged groups Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between instrumental and non-instrumental participation according to Hideg, Michela, & Ferris (2011)?

The context in which the participation occurs Signup and view all the answers

Who are considered beneficiaries of affirmative action policies?

People from historically disadvantaged groups Signup and view all the answers

What kind of bias awareness is suggested to potentially help improve attitudes towards policies?

Awareness of individual biases Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'whitened experience' refer to in the context of diversity and minority status?

Removing words and experiences associated with minority status Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'weak preference' indicate about affirmative action policies?

It distinguishes between candidates based on group status when qualifications are equal Signup and view all the answers

According to the results of Hideg, Michela, & Ferris (2011), how did men's and women's attitudes differ towards instrumental and non-instrumental participation?

Both genders had equal positive attitudes toward instrumental participation Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Awareness-Does it actually help?' inquiry suggest about bias awareness?

Increasing awareness leads to improved understanding and interactions Signup and view all the answers

What does the correlation data suggest regarding women's earnings compared to men's?

Women earn less than men when controlling for experience and education. Signup and view all the answers

In terms of hierarchical levels, how does the ratio of men promoted to women promoted change?

It increases at higher hierarchical levels. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Goldberg Paradigm in understanding gender discrimination?

It illustrates the bias in performance reviews based on gender. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT included in the equation for understanding the wage gap?

Social capital Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of men are promoted compared to women in executive positions?

10% for men, 5% for women Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about full-time workers' earnings is accurate?

Men generally earn a higher salary than women. Signup and view all the answers

How do correlation studies aid in understanding wage disparities?

They provide a broad overview of wage differences influenced by multiple factors. Signup and view all the answers

What does the data regarding workers suggest about gender representation at lower levels?

Men are more likely to occupy supervisory roles than women. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main distinction between descriptive and prescriptive stereotypes?

Descriptive stereotypes describe what group members are like, while prescriptive stereotypes indicate how they should behave. Signup and view all the answers

According to the Lack of Fit Model, expectations regarding gender stereotypes influence what aspect?

The degree of fit with the stereotype of a position. Signup and view all the answers

What finding was shown regarding automatic gender stereotypes for the trait 'sensitive'?

It was incongruent for males but congruent for females. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of promotions, how does having children impact male and female candidates differently?

Female candidates with children receive lower promotion scores compared to male candidates with children. Signup and view all the answers

What does the research by Heilman et al. (2004) suggest about gender roles in job contexts?

Female targets are significantly less liked in masculine jobs than male targets. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary implication of the Lack of Fit Model for females in masculine roles?

Females may be seen as less competent due to stereotype incongruence. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best illustrates a communal stereotype?

Helpful Signup and view all the answers

In the context of gender stereotypes, which statement accurately describes the term 'agentic'?

Traits linked to assertiveness and competence. Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion can be drawn about the perceptions of males and females in gender-typical jobs?

There is a significant difference in how male and female targets are liked based on job type. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Basic Biases in Person Perception

Impressions of others are affected by perceptual biases
Primacy effect: Over-reliance on early cues (first impressions)
Recency effect: Over-reliance on recent cues (last impressions)
Reliance on central traits: Organization and focus on specific important characteristics of others

Implicit Personality Theories

Beliefs about consistency and stability of traits
Consistency: Perceived association of traits with one another
Example: Hardworking people are also honest

Projection

Attributing own thoughts and feelings to others
Assuming others are similar to self

Perceptual Biases in Performance Appraisals

Rater errors in performance assessments
Common errors: Leniency, harshness, central tendency, halo effect, similar-to-me effect

Stereotyping

Generalizations about people based on social categories
Ignores individual variation within social categories

Physical Characteristics

Physical attractiveness can influence salary
Research shows correlation between attractiveness and higher starting salaries

Stereotypes: Gender

Opportunities = Qualifications (ideal scenario)
Opportunities < Qualifications (discrimination)

Gender Discrimination: Promotions

Promotions predominantly favor men across hierarchical levels, with a lower percentage of women in higher positions

Gender Stereotypes

Agentic traits: characteristics associated with masculinity
Communal traits: characteristics associated with femininity

Automatic Gender Stereotypes

Response times to congruent (stereotype-consistent) pairings are quicker than for incongruent pairings

Lack of Fit Model

When an individual's gender stereotype does not align with the stereotype for a job, it can create a lack of fit, potentially affecting negative perceptions of the individual's competence

Violating Gender Stereotypes: Daring to succeed in a Male World

Women in masculine jobs may be perceived negatively

Engaging in Gender Stereotypic Behavior: Do women benefit from helping at work?

Women who engage in stereotypically feminine, "helping" behaviors may face a disadvantage in male-dominated fields

Affirmative Action/Employment Equity

Policies to address historical disparities and create job opportunities for disadvantaged groups
Strong preference policies prioritize disadvantaged groups with less regard for qualifications
Weak preference policies use group status to choose between equally qualified candidates
Nonbeneficiaries: those who do not benefit from affirmative action policies

Awareness of Bias

Raising awareness of biases can be effective in mitigating bias, but further research is needed.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore fundamental biases that influence how we perceive others, including primacy and recency effects, as well as stereotyping and projection. This quiz also delves into how these perceptual biases can affect performance appraisals and our understanding of personality traits. Test your knowledge on the concepts and theories that shape our impressions of those around us.