The impact of emotions on stereotyping in workplace selection: The role of certainty appraisals |
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Authors: | Daniel L. Benkendorf Kristin L. Sommer |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Social Sciences, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY, USA;2. Department of Psychology, Baruch College, New York, NY, USA |
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Abstract: | An appraisal tendency approach was adopted to explore the influence of emotional certainty on stereotyping and judgment in a workplace context. Across two studies, participants completed an emotional memory task designed to induce emotions representing two different levels of emotional certainty (certain versus uncertain). They then reviewed interview footage, a résumé, and qualifying criteria before rating a hypothetical job candidate’s personality and employability. Study 1 revealed that emotions high in certainty (compared to uncertainty) led to more favorable personality and employability ratings for attractive compared to unattractive candidates. Study 2 produced the same pattern of results for younger (compared to older) candidates. We conclude that certainty appraisals associated with temporary, incidental emotions are a useful predictor of the likelihood that stereotypes will be applied during decision making. |
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