Empirical Study: Discrimination in Personnel Selection?

Abstract

It was suggested the following factors perpetuate discrimination of women in a male-dominated setting: Gender stereotypes have personnel decision-makers implicitly associate desired and required traits of a job with men to a greater degree than with women. This pattern will reflect on ascriptions of competence and suitability to the advantage of men over women. The desire to surround oneself with and to trust more readily individuals similar to oneself—especially with challenging assignments—is expected to reflect negatively on women’s assessment of suitability in a male-dominated and stereotypically masculine-connoted context. Reference to the law in an organizational context without enforcement threat will not counter biases.