Gender discrimination and the workplace: An examination of rational bias theory

Abstract

Previous research concerning the "rational bias" theory of workplace discrimination has been confined largely to narrow student samples. This study extends that work with an experimental-survey design in which employed participants were asked both how others respond to conditions classically eliciting rational bias discrimination, and how they believe people behave in their own firms. Participants were 148 men and 158 women (88.6% Caucasian, 4.6% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 2.8% other racial identification) with graduate business degrees from a public university. Results show evidence of continuing discrimination, and support the theory predicting rational bias gender discrimination in the workplace. Gender of respondent and locus of control (defined by Spector's Work Locus of Control scale) are also shown to be related to rational bias discrimination. Suggestions are made for further development and testing of rational bias theory.