Effects on Names and Perceptions Regarding Occupational Competency

887 Words4 Pages
Abstract In the U.S., it’s illegal for employers to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and age. Certain names come with negative stereotypes which can have an effect on whether or not an applicant is employed by an employer. Many factors in some cases determine whether or not an applicant is eligible to be hired. For example, the skills they poses, work experience, college education and their name. However, I will be discussing how name perceptions can have an effect on occupational competency. In this case study evidence suggests the participants made a perception of each applicant based on their names and qualifications. The results also suggest that some distinctive names had higher rating then some common names. . Effects on Names and Perception Regarding Occupational Competency It’s been studied in the media, news and on television shows that people names, physical appearances, race, title, and gender, play a key role in defining what we think of others. Jane Copley and Sheila Brownlow (1995) examine the interactive effects of name warmth and facial maturity on job hiring recommendations and traits perceptions of others. However, in this study all subjects were given descriptions of two job openings by the same employer. One job required warmth, and the other required authority and competence. Each participant evaluating a female; read about two part time openings one at a day care center, as teacher assistance and the other as director assistance. The teacher assistance position asked mainly for warmth behaviors such as helping with the children with naps and meals, and the director assistance position asked for authority and administrative competence. Whereas, for the male applicant, were given the description of two full time job positions. One was at a homeless shelter as an intake counselor and director
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