When it comes to workplace performance reviews, most people are aware that there is often a bias towards employees who have good working relationships with their superiors.
Few people realize that this bias can be influenced by sexual attraction. This phenomenon has been studied extensively in psychology, and its effects on performance evaluations have been documented in a variety of settings. One study found that when male and female participants were asked to evaluate the quality of a product created by someone they had recently met, those who reported being more attracted to the person tended to give higher ratings than those who did not.
There are several potential explanations for why sexual attraction may influence performance feedback and evaluation. First, it could be that people are simply more likely to notice positive traits in someone they find physically appealing.
If an employee happens to be particularly attractive, their boss might be more likely to focus on positive attributes like intelligence or creativity rather than negative ones like tardiness or poor communication skills. Second, sexual attraction could lead to increased closeness between individuals, which in turn leads to greater trust and respect.
Sexual attraction could create pressure to impress the other person, leading to better efforts and results.
Of course, there are also some limitations to these findings. For one thing, they do not necessarily imply that sexual attraction should always be considered when giving performance feedback or making personnel decisions. In fact, research suggests that in many cases, it can actually backfire. When sexually attracted individuals receive positive evaluations from their supervisors, they may become overly confident and less motivated to improve their work.
It's important to consider the potential for harassment or discrimination based on gender or race in these situations.
While sexual attraction can certainly play a role in performance feedback and evaluations, it is just one factor among many.
Employers should strive to create a fair and equitable workplace where all employees have the opportunity to succeed regardless of personal characteristics.
In what ways does sexual attraction affect performance feedback and evaluations?
Sexual attraction can influence how an individual receives and processes performance feedback and evaluations. Individuals who are sexually attracted to their supervisors may be more likely to interpret positive feedback as genuine praise rather than flattery. They may also find it difficult to focus on constructive criticism during one-on-one meetings with their superiors due to distractions caused by arousal.