Bias Mitigation & Inclusive Hiring Flashcards

A hiring manager rates a candidate highly on every competency after learning they attended the manager's alma mater. Which bias is most likely at play?

Answer: Halo effect

The halo effect occurs when one positive trait inflates ratings across unrelated criteria.

Which interview practice is most consistently shown by research to reduce bias and improve predictive validity?

Answer: Structured interviews with standardized questions and scoring rubrics

Structured interviews apply the same job-related questions and anchored rating scales to every candidate, reducing subjective variance.

An interviewer evaluates a candidate as weaker than they really are because the previous candidate was exceptional. What is this called?

Answer: Contrast effect

The contrast effect judges candidates relative to each other rather than against a fixed standard.

Why should interviewers record independent scores before a group debrief?

Answer: To prevent anchoring and groupthink from influencing individual judgments

Independent scoring captures each evaluator's unbiased assessment before group dynamics or dominant voices sway opinions.

Which of the following is the best example of a behaviorally anchored rating scale (BARS)?

Answer: A scale where each rating level describes specific observable behaviors

BARS ties each rating point to concrete behavioral examples, reducing subjective interpretation.

A recruiter notices interviewers frequently reject candidates for not being a 'culture fit.' What is the most inclusive corrective step?

Answer: Replace 'culture fit' with defined 'values alignment' or 'culture add' criteria tied to job behaviors

Vague 'culture fit' often masks affinity bias, so defining measurable values-based criteria makes evaluation fair and job-related.

Implicit bias is best described as:

Answer: Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect decisions without awareness

Implicit biases operate outside conscious awareness yet still shape judgments and behavior.