Performance assessment is an essential component of every organization's decision-making process when it comes to hiring new employees or promoting existing ones. It provides valuable insights into the quality of work produced by individuals and can help identify their strengths and weaknesses.
There have been numerous instances where such evaluations have been influenced by personal feelings and biases towards certain people based on their gender, age, race, ethnicity, or even sexual orientation. This raises the question - Can sexual attractions limit objective evaluation, fairness, and impartiality in performance assessments? In this article, we will explore the answer to this query and provide concrete evidence to support our findings.
Let's define what we mean by 'sexual attraction'. Sexual attraction refers to a person's physical or emotional response to another individual that includes romantic or erotic thoughts or fantasies. According to psychological studies, everyone experiences some degree of sexual attraction, which may be directed towards both genders or just one. The intensity of these desires varies from person to person and changes over time depending on various factors like emotions, circumstances, and physical appearance. Now, let's examine how sexual attraction affects performance assessments.
Studies show that attractive individuals tend to receive higher ratings during job interviews than those who are less physically appealing. Attractive candidates also get hired more often for managerial positions, despite having similar qualifications as their less attractive counterparts. These preferences stem from a subconscious bias towards physical appearance rather than actual skills and capabilities. Research has found that people with good looks are perceived as being smarter, harder working, and more likely to succeed in life, regardless of whether they possess any real talent or potential. Therefore, it is natural for interviewers to favour such candidates in terms of job offers or promotions because they seem like better investments for the organization's future growth.
Favoritism based on appearance can lead to unfair treatment of other employees who do not fit the idealized standards of beauty. This can create an unequal work environment where certain individuals are given preferential treatment while others are left behind due to their physical characteristics.
Men tend to earn higher salaries than women even when performing comparable roles because they are considered more competent at handling stressful situations. Similarly, white men have been shown to earn more money than black women doing the same type of job. Such discrimination can result in resentment among employees who feel undervalued and unappreciated, leading to low morale and productivity levels.
Some studies suggest that sexual attractions can enhance objectivity in evaluation processes by providing additional information about candidates beyond what is explicitly stated on paper or verbally communicated during interviews. A study conducted in 2016 showed that male interviewers rated female applicants higher after seeing photos of them wearing makeup compared to those without any cosmetics applied. The results indicated that evaluators were able to form a better impression of the candidate's personality traits when presented with visual cues such as facial expression or body language, which could help predict job performance outcomes. In this case, attractiveness was used positively to evaluate candidates rather than negatively as seen before.
It is evident from research findings that sexual attraction plays a significant role in decision-making processes related to employee assessments.
There is no denying its negative impact on fairness and impartiality, especially when judgements are based solely on appearance rather than skillset and experience. Organizations must strive towards creating an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued irrespective of their physical attributes while also ensuring that merit remains paramount for advancement opportunities within the organization. By doing so, they will be able to create a level playing field for all employees while maintaining high standards of excellence in terms of quality and innovation.
Can sexual attractions limit objective evaluation, fairness, and impartiality in performance assessments?
Sexual attraction can influence an individual's objectivity in evaluating others because of the presence of hormones that affect our brain functions. Hormones such as oxytocin, testosterone, and dopamine are released during romantic attraction, which can lead to feelings of affection, desire, and attachment. These hormonal changes may cloud judgment and make it difficult for individuals to evaluate others objectively.