The Impact of Applicants’ Sex, Facial Attractiveness, and Weight on Attributed Job Suitability in Asia and Europe

• In Event: ICA Interactive Paper/Poster Session III
  In Interactive Paper Session: Interpersonal Communication Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

Due to their higher visibility than a person’s skills, appearance cues (e.g., person’s sex, face, weight) are essential cues for interpersonal attribution. These attributions influence everyday routines and apply within the business context, which is nowadays characterized by worldwide networking and intercultural exchange. The aim of the present study is to ascertain a) which cues are most decisive for job suitability ratings, b) how cues interact, and c) whether there is intercultural consensus. For this purpose, we conducted an online experiment (N = 2231) with a European and an Asian subsample. In a 2 (applicants’ sex) x2 (facial attractiveness) x2 (body weight) between-subject design, participants were presented with a picture of a job applicant and evaluated job suitability for female-typed and male-typed jobs. Women were preferred over men in applications for a female-typed job and vice versa; this effect was stronger in the Asian sample than in the European sample.

Author

• Sabrina Sobieraj