Publication Date

5-2014

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Dr. Amber Schroeder (Director), Dr. Elizabeth Shoenfelt, Dr. Reagan Brown

Degree Program

Department of Psychology

Degree Type

Master of Arts

Abstract

The current paper describes the concepts of emotional intelligence (EI) and physical attractiveness in relation to their impact on applicant evaluations. As EI has been shown to be linked to work outcomes including job performance, job satisfaction and interpersonal relationships, and as physical attractiveness has been found to influence rater decisions and perceptions of intellectual competence, an examination of these constructs in concert was the focus of the current study. Results found that, on average, attractive employees, older employees, and male employees were rated higher on several dimensions than their counterparts. There was no support for rater EI being linked to attractiveness- or age-related evaluation bias or for rater gender being related to attractiveness- or gender-related rating bias. However, results found that individuals with low EI were less consistent in their ratings, when job irrelevant information was disclosed versus undisclosed, than those with high EI. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Disciplines

Cognition and Perception | Industrial and Organizational Psychology | Psychology

Download

Share

COinS