Sex and physical attractiveness of raters and applicants as determinants of resumé evaluations.

Abstract

Male and female student interviewers, classified as either high, moderate, or low on physical attractiveness, evaluated 12 bogus job applicants for whom sex, physical attractiveness, and qualifications had been varied. A 2 X 3 X 2 X 3 X 2 analysis of variance was computed, with the first two variables (interviewer sex and attractiveness) constituting between-group factors, and the last three variables (applicant sex, attractiveness, and qualifications) constituting repeated measures factors. Regardless of interviewer sex and attractiveness, highly qualified applicants were preferred over poorly qualified applicants, male applicants were preferred over female applicants, and attractive candidates were preferred over unattractive candidates. Discrimination in employment decisions was attributed to sex-role and physical attractiveness stereotypes.